West Genesee School District
January 12, 2024
Administration Updates
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you well. We have turned the proverbial corner and are approaching a midpoint of the school year. There is a positive momentum with a commitment to continue our work together in growth and success.
In any discussion about weather, you would likely receive varied trends of preferences. Some hope for snow due to enthusiasm for outdoor ventures and some tolerate cold weather as a way to appreciate the warmth of a blanket or fireplace. Ultimately, our own hopes and expectations have little influence on the variety of weather changes that are inevitable in Central New York.
For years, I have answered questions from students regarding “snow days.” I enjoy the conversation, appreciate their patience when listening to the explanation of the process and look forward to the inevitable attempt to sway me in the direction of a closure. Of course, when that topic came up at home, there was a very similar reaction from my own children! (My grown children still ask “Dad, what do you think?” which causes me to remind them I do not have the credentials of meteorologist!) I remind them that, in all cases, the decision is based solely on the priority of safety.
It is important to know is that there is a great deal of conversation, observation, and analysis of conditions that go into the decision of emergency closures. This includes considerations of current conditions, effectiveness of resources, and predictions and timing of weather patterns. Snow amounts and rates, road conditions, wind impacts, ice potential, downed powerlines, falling tree limbs are among the factors considered. This is true throughout the community and on our school campuses. A determination is made with a goal of communicating information as early and quickly as is possible.
This week’s emergency closing of East Hill Elementary School and the atypical early release of West Genesee Intermediate and Stonehedge Elementary schools in late November involved the unexpected loss of power. Thank you to all students, parents, and staff for the “pivot” necessary with an unanticipated change. We always strive for our communication systems to provide timely information.
Please continue to be aware of potential cancelations, late arrivals, or the rare early dismissal and monitor communications for the most updated information available.
Thank you,
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
Message from Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Welcome back to the (almost) second half of the school year! As we approach the midpoint of the academic calendar, it is a time to think about resetting for success. There is the ever-pressing element of academic success, and we do have universal screening in place to document student growth and progress toward our academic goals at each grade level. We also re-examine the placement of students in support services and address the needs of students through supplemental instruction at all levels.
There is a key component that contributes to success for each student - attendance. As with all schools, West Genesee pays attention to data related to attendance as an important piece of a student's academic success. When 10% or more of instructional time is missed, it is defined as chronic absenteeism. That averages out to about two days missed per month. The impact on missed instructional time grows exponentially; if a student misses two days per month each school year for four years, they have missed almost half a year of school by the end of that fourth year.
There are times where absences are necessary, and we understand and support those times. It is important, however, that when a student misses a class or a day, that they spend time in IT (Interaction Time) or Team Time, or at another point in the day, catching up on what they missed and asking for support on things they might not fully understand as a result of that absence.
We are West Genesee, and it is a special place. We want our students to experience as many of the opportunities available to them here as possible before they graduate and pursue their dreams and goals elsewhere. Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn as well as to connect to their peers and teachers. As we arrive at the midpoint of the year, we encourage you to take a look at your child(ren)’s attendance pattern and ensure that they are on track for success and able to experience all of the wonderful opportunities available to them at school.
We also want to express our appreciation for the attention to attendance that takes place throughout our community. We thank:
- Our students and their families who do their best to show up daily even when it isn’t easy.
- Our teachers who go above and beyond to make school a welcoming and safe place for all students to learn.
- Our administrators who help us collaborate to ensure we create a physically and emotionally safe and engaging learning environment.
- Our many, many support staff and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and attention our children need.
Monica Canterino, our Director of Counseling, listed several strategies for supporting on-time attendance in the December Counseling newsletter. I have listed those again below, as some of them may be helpful to you in working with your child, particularly if they are feeling ambivalent about attending school. Please know that our counseling staff and your child’s teachers are always willing to support you if you are struggling to have your child attend school on-time and/or regularly.
Strategies for Supporting Good Attendance
Ensure that mornings are organized and stress-free.
Lay out clothes and prepare backpacks the night before to minimize morning rush.
Encourage a balanced diet and regular exercise to support overall well-being.
Designate a quiet and comfortable space for homework and study.
Schedule appointments on days and at times that minimize absences from school.
Help your child recognize the difference between feeling unwell and being too ill to attend school.
Clearly communicate the importance of attending school regularly and the long-term benefits it brings.
Set expectations for behavior, responsibility, and the value of education within the family.
Acknowledge and celebrate your child's accomplishments at school, whether big or small.
Support your child's involvement in school activities to help create a sense of community and reinforce the importance of education.
Be vigilant about any signs of social issues that may affect your child's willingness to attend school.
Foster open communication about their experiences and provide support when needed.
Demonstrate a positive attitude towards learning and education in your daily life.
Express enthusiasm about your own educational experiences and the value of continuous learning.
It Happened at School...
CMS Design Students have a Busy December
Camillus Middle School DDP students had a very busy December! They drew their homes in AutoCAD, and also created snowflakes that they then laser cut.
Also, Technology and DDP students made wooden ornaments and vinyl designs for clothing and their phone cases.
Staff Recognitions
Coach Colabufo Sets Another Milestone - 500 Wins!!
On December 28, 2023 Wildcat Boys Hockey head coach, Frank Colabufo, celebrated his 500th career win; something only four other coaches in New York State have accomplished to date.
His coaching career at West Genesee began in the 1994-1995 season. Since then he has helped the Boys Hockey program become a well-known premier program that includes many Section III title and three State Championships!! Congratulations! #WeCelebrateLearning #WildcatPride
Meet our School Nurses: This Week...Carrie Heaphy
We would like to introduce you to Carrie Heaphy who is the nurse at Onondaga Road Elementary School.
She is a St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center College of Nursing graduate, where she received her Associates of Science degree in Nursing/Registered Nursing (RN) in 2007. She also received a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts Management from Ithaca College in 1998.
Heaphy started her nursing career as a Medical/Surgical RN at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center working on the Family Practice/Medical Teaching unit of the Hospital. She was a staff nurse, Clinical Coordinator, Unit Manager, and ended her time at St. Joseph’s as a Clinical Informaticist.
Carrie joined the West Genesee School District in 2019 as one of the nurses at Stonehedge Elementary School.
She grew up in Oswego, NY and currently lives in Fairmount with her husband Chris and their daughter who is an eighth grader at Camillus Middle School.
In her spare time, she enjoys attending musicals, plays, concerts, and dance recitals; especially those that her daughter is performing in. She can often be found at the pool, watching her daughter at swim meets, and is a board member for the Camillus Swim Club.
Carrie is excited to get to know all the students and work with the staff at Onondaga Road Elementary School.
Upcoming Events/Registration/Closing Information/Calendar Info
Superintendent Conference Day on Friday, January 26, 2024
Friday, January 26, 2024 will be a half-day for CMS/WGIS/Elementary students for a Superintendent Conference Day for staff, and a day off for high school students*. Dismissal times for students will be as follows per building:
- High School: No School for Students- except for students taking the Earth Science Regents exam *
- CMS: 10:15 a.m.
- WGIS: 10:10 a.m.
- All Elementary Buildings: 11:15 a.m. (Please check information from individual schools for specific bus/pick-up/walker times.)
*Please note: The Board of Education approved a change to the calendar at their meeting on January 10, 2024.
Universal Pre-Kindergarten Registration Will Open On March 11, 2024
West Genesee partners with local Community-Based Organizations (CBO) for its Pre-K program.
To be eligible for UPK during the 2024-2025 school year, a child must:
Have a birthdate between December 2, 2019 and December 1, 2020
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 May 1, 2024 will be part of the initial selection process.
Families who were 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 May 2-3, 2024.
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 age
Tickets for the WGHS Musical, Cinderella, are now on Sale!!
WGHS will be presenting Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella on February 8 (7 p.m.), February 9 (7 p.m.) and February 10 (1 p.m. and 6 p.m.). This "Broadway Version" is the newest adaptation (book by Douglas Beane) of the classic musical and features new characters, a hilarious libretto, surprising twists, and the unforgettable score" we continue to love (quote from concordtheatricals.com).
Tickets became available for purchase starting on December 1. All seats are reserved. To purchase via credit card head to wgfinearts.ludus.com (or scan the QR code) and click "buy tickets." To reserve your tickets via check or cash, contact the WG Fine Arts Office at(315) 487-4612. We can't wait for you to see what the students are working so hard to prepare!!
Change to 2023-2024 District Calendar
Please note that the Board of Education voted at their meeting on October 18, 2023 to adjust the West Genesee CSD Calendar to move the Half-Day of School for Students-Superintendent's Conference Half-Day from April 10, 2024 to April 8, 2024.
This change is to accommodate a total Eclipse due to occur on April 8 during student dismissal time at some of our schools.
Click here to view/print the updated calendar as posted to the website under the Calendar area.
Kindergarten Registration has Started!
Kindergarten Registration for the 2024-2025 school year opened on December 5, 2023 and will continue until 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 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.
Families who have a current UPK student, you will need to register your child for kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year.
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 X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the following 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 will NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in ParentVue. (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. )
New Website and Mobile App
We have redesigned the West Genesee website and took into consideration the information shared in the results of the survey we distributed in June. It is now easier to find items directly related to your school from that school's homepage. It is also very mobile responsive and easy to find items from your phone. However, if you have questions about the new site, please email them to publications@westgenesee.org.
In addition to the new website, we have also launched a new mobile phone app to communicate to students, parents, and community members about West Genesee news, upcoming events, and other important information. The West Genny app is available to download free from the Apple App store or the Google Play store. For more information about the mobile app, click here to view a video about the app.
This app is different from your ParentVUE app which you will continue to use to communicate with teachers, check on schedules, and other items that relate directly to your specific child(ren).
Are you Receiving All of our Communications? Helpful Tips about the SchoolMessenger Communication System:
- To be sure that you are receiving all emails sent from the District/schools/teachers please periodically check your spam/junk/promotions folder for emails with @westgenesee.org, then mark that they are not spam/junk/promotions.
- To be sure that you are receiving text messages this year from WGCSD or your school(s) Text a "Y" or "Yes" to 67587.
If you still have questions about receiving emails and/or text from WGCSD please email them to publications@westgenesee.org.
West Genesee is Hiring
We are Hiring a School Psychologist
West Genesee CSD is hiring a full-time long-term substitute School Psychologist for Camillus Middle School. Information about this position is also available on OLAS.
Inquiries can be made to Human Resources at (315) 487-4555.
WGCSD Needs Substitute Teachers
West Genesee CSD is hiring substitute teachers. We are accepting applicants that are both certified and non-certified (with a Bachelor's degree).
Inquiries can be made to Human Resources at (315) 487-4555.
Substitute Special Education Teaching Assistants are Needed at WGCSD
West Genesee CSD is hiring Substitute Special Education Teaching Assistants.
Inquiries can be made to Human Resources at (315) 487-4555.
Upcoming Events
- January 15, 2024 No School-Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- January 26, 2024: Superintendent’s Conference Half-Day for CMS/WGIS/Elementary Students; No School for WGHS Students