Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Topics
Recently, a student asked me how I decide on the topics I include in the e-Newsletter. My first reaction was one of gratitude. I certainly hope it didn’t seem to appear as a shock or surprise, but I genuinely appreciated the question. I am hopeful that our students do engage with the news articles that highlight the accomplishments and activities of others in our District. Communication and relationship-building are important qualities and the more we know and appreciate each other, the greater the likelihood of increasing our acceptance and support for one another.
My dad always stressed the importance of public speaking and writing. With his unique humor, he would always quip, “when in doubt, give a speech about creating speeches or write an essay about formulating ideas about an essay.” It seems that I have done that with this student’s inquiry.
The setting of the question was in a visit to Participation in Government and SUPA Policy Studies classes. Teachers regularly have guests speak to students from various perspectives of community and government. It is a highlight to be a part of it and engage in a variety of topics. There is great value to be curious, ask questions, and have a willingness to consider multiple sides of any one issue. The critical thinking skills gained in our many courses and classrooms will serve students for years to come. Thank you to our outstanding staff for creating such opportunities for student growth.
Notoriety?
It is interesting when our District name is truncated to a less formal version; West Genny. I remember well this iteration of the name during my youth, both hearing and speaking it. Recent examples occurred in very separate settings. Channel 9 Meteorologist Kate Thorton mentioned us when a school closing was submitted; spectators and participants included it in conversations during competitions at SRC Arena; and announcers at LECOM Harborcenter used the term during a recent great weekend in Buffalo. In each instance, there was a familiarity and recognition that comes with it that, I believe, is complimentary. We have outstanding students who represent us well with accomplishments of academics, fine arts, athletics, and in many other ways. I am always hopeful that others see them with respect, admiration, and high regard. It is for that reason that I am so happy to be here, at West Genny!
Lessons about Passwords Protecting Personal Privacy
Some of our own procedures have provided valuable learning and an important reminder. Generic or formulaic passwords are not secure and make individual information vulnerable. We have worked with secondary students to reset passwords for their technology use. Further, students have the ability to retrieve and reset their personal, private passwords. The importance of a “strong” password is matched in priority to keeping that information private. Please support our efforts to shape this important habit, not for the intention of being impersonal, but to build a mutual respect for one another’s individual personal information.
Enjoy the many celebrations of students in the articles below. What a variety of outstanding accomplishments. Thank you for your continued support as we remain West Genesee (West Genny!) Stronger Together!
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
Camillus Optimists Essay Contest Winners
This Camillus Optimists Essay Contest was held in February with the topic of "Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?" The winners from West Genesee High School were:
- First place-Sydney Buckhout
- Second place-Logan Battaglia
- Third place-Marissa Walker
- Fourth place-Calina Olson
- Fifth place-Claire Griffin
Pictured from left to right are Calina Olson, Sydney Buckhout, Logan Battaglia, and Marissa Walker (not pictured Claire Griffin). Congratulations to all!
Camillus Optimists Oratorical Competition
The Zone Optimist Oratorical Contest was held on March 9, 2023 with the theme of “Discovering the Optimism within Me”.
The first place winner is West Genesee High School senior Lia Rice. She now advances to the District level competition as does a student from Cicero-North Syracuse School District to be held in April in Albany.
Junior Annissa Lee also competed. Congratulations to both students for a job well done!
National Foreign Language Week-Poster Contest Winners at the High School
Last week, March 5-11, West Genesee students celebrated National Foreign Language Week. At the high school they held their annual National Foreign Language Week Poster Contest based on this year's theme: Boost Your Brain With Languages- poster contest. The winning posters were created by Sophia Artymovych, Olivia Wake, and Zoe Maupin.
There are many benefits to learning a language! National Foreign Language Week was first proclaimed in 1957 by Dwight D. Eisenhower. The observance helps raise awareness of the importance of world language study and encourages students to learn a second language so they better understand and communicate with people around the world. World Language classrooms provide a venue where languages and culture are intertwined, thereby introducing students to new levels of appreciation and awareness of the worldwide community.
We commend our students here at West Genesee for their dedication to broadening their horizons by learning a world language!
Kindergarten Registration Deadline has been Extended
Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year opened on December 14 and will now go until April 14, 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.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Registration Closes TODAY!
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, 2023.
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 TODAY, 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.
New Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction is Announced
On March 1, 2023 Stacey Eger-Converse was appointed by the Board of Education to the position of Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction starting on July 1, 2023. She will fill the position left vacant by Brian Kesel’s retirement after his many years of service at West Genesee.
Eger-Converse is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Chief Diversity Officer in the Watertown City School District where she has served for six years. Prior to that time she was a Building Principal in the Central Square Central School District, Supervisor of Professional & Program Development, and Curriculum Coordinator/Instructional Programs Support during her time with Jefferson-Lewis BOCES. In the classroom, she was an English teacher in the Lowville Central School District and a Psychology teacher at the Dominican Academy in New York City.
Sports Sectional/State Updates
Cheerleading: The West Genesee Cheerleading team became Section III Class A Champions on February 18 and moved on to the NYS competition on March 4 in Binghamton.. Samantha Bowles and Victoria Collins were also selected as Section III Class A All-Star Award Winners. Congratulations!
Boys Basketball: The Boys Basketball team moved on to the Section III Finals after defeating Nottingham 65-56. They then played Liverpool in the Section 3 Championship Game on March 5th. Congratulations on a great season!
Boys Hockey: The Boys Hockey team won the Section 3 Championship over Baldwinsville on February 27. They then went on to victories over Ithaca in the NYS Regionals on March 4, Pittsford in the NYS Semi-Final on March 11, ultimately winning the NYS Division 1 Championship on March 12 over Suffern 6-0. Congratulations!!
Indoor Track: Congratulations to the following athletes who competed at the Section III Indoor Track Championships held on February 9: Claire Griffin who won the girls 600; Boys 4x2 of Dom Burris, Dylan Frost, Rhison Williams and Chris Moser; Girls 4x2 of Mya Rufus, Grace McInerney, Claire Griffin and Molly Doran who came in 2nd; Molly Doran placed 2nd in the 55; and Peyton Long took 2nd in the 1500. Several of the runners competed in the NYS Championships on March 4 at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island.
Boys/Girls Bowling: WG Bowler Lorelai Leskoske finished 3rd out of 37 at the Section 3 Bowling shootout on February 16. Great job!
Wrestling: Congratulations to Maxx Fesinger and Austin Fesinger who competed at the NYS Championships after placing at the Section III Championships! Maxx won the Section 3 Championship in the 145 pound weight class. Also congratulations to Logan Willis who placed at the Section III Championships.
Swimming/Diving: Congrats to the following WG Swimmers for placing at the Sectional Championships held on February 15: Gavin Flanagan-3rd, 500 Free, Ryan Goshow-7th, 100 Backstroke, WG Medley Relay-8th, and the WG 400 Free Relay-7th!
Also, congratulations to WG Diver Ethan Martin who qualified for and competed at the NYS Championships on March 4 at Ithaca College.
Celebrating Black History Month: Spotlight on WGHS
Last month, WGHS students and staff decorated the halls to feature influential people in Black History. Teachers have added to the decorations in each department featuring prominent leaders in their field!
The morning announcements featured music from black artists as well as meaningful quotes selected by students.
Non-Public Transportation Requests for 2023-2024 Due April 1
Requests for school district transportation to non-public (private or parochial) schools for the 2023-2024 school year must be filed at the West Genesee Central School District Transportation Center by Saturday, April 1, 2023.
Applications must state the name, address, telephone number, date of birth and grade of the student for whom the request is being submitted, as well as the name address and telephone number of the private or parochial school to which transportation is requested.
Daycare arrangements must be located within the WGCSD boundaries and within the public school enrollment area that the requestor resides.
Request forms may be obtained at the various non-public schools, at the Transportation Center located at 5203 W. Genesee Street, Camillus, NY 13031, and online by clicking here.
Those filing after the deadline must provide a reasonable explanation for not meeting the April 1 deadline.
District Calendar for 2023-2024 Approved at BOE Meeting
The District Calendar for the 2023-2024 school year was approved by the Board of Education at their meeting on March 1, 2023.
The calendar is now available on the website by clicking here: https://www.westgenesee.org/about-us/calendars/.
Spring Sports Registration Starts Soon!
The Athletics Department offers the convenience of online registration for athletic sports sign up and clearance through Family ID.
JV/Varsity Spring Sports-Started 3/16/23; Registration Opened 2/16/23
Modified 7/8/9 Spring Sports-Starts 4/10/23; Registration Opened 3/10/23
Unified Basketball starts 4/17/23; Registration starts today, 3/17/23
For directions on how to sign up, please go to the Athletics webpage and click on Athletics Registration. Everything will be completed online. Click here for more information.
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.
BOE Meetings Go on the Road to Different Schools!
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.
Please note: The following BOE Meetings will be held at the location listed below. All other BOE Meetings will take place in the usual location in the West Genesee High School Library.
- January 18, 2023-was held at Split Rock Elementary School
- February 15, 2023-was held at Stonehedge Elementary School Library
- March 15, 2023-was held at East Hill Elementary School Cafeteria
- March 29, 2023-Onondaga Road Elementary School Library
- April 19, 2023-West Genesee Middle School Library
- May 17, 2023-Camillus Middle School Library
- June 21, 2023-West Genesee High School LGI Room
