Notes from the WGIS Principal

This page provides thoughts and commentary from Michael McGrath, the Principal of West Genesee Intermediate School in the West Genesee Central School District.

Hello WGIS Families,

Well, this week seemed to fly by! As always, we packed a lot into it. From scavenger hunts, and the "pacer" test, to pop-up performances, and a musical preview, memories are being made! Can't wait to see what next week brings. Have a great weekend.

Best Regards,

Michael McGrath

A huge thank you to Mr. Schuessler and the cast and crew for the CMS production of Once On This Island. Our friends and family from CMS gave their WGIS musical counterparts a preview of their upcoming show. They did not disappoint! Check out the show on November 2, 3, and 4 at CMS!

Please join us in congratulating, Alex, Nico, Messiah, and Dacarii who were recognized for demonstrating this week's Positivity Project characteristic trait of Creativity! Well done Wildcats!!

This year, we will be using the Positivity Project (P2) to promote positive character traits in our students here at WGIS. Each week, we will focus on a new character trait. Students who exemplify the character trait of the week will have an opportunity to be recognized on the Friday announcements. This upcoming week, our character trait is Knowing my words and actions affect others.

Knowing my words and actions affect others means that everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people.

We are enjoying our themed Fridays! Check out some of the pics below from Tie Dye Friday. This Friday will be "Wildcat Friday" where we wear our West Genesee gear!

Student Council Upcoming meetings will take place on Wednesday, November 8, and November 29 from 2:40 - 3:15 in room 214. There will be a late bus for those that need it. Late buses are at 3:15.

Chess Club will have its first meeting on November 1! Students were required to fill out an information form to participate and Mrs. Barbuto will be reaching out to home via email. There will be a late bus for those that need it. Late buses are at 3:15.

Interact Club This club is new to WGIS. This is a club that will do activities around doing service for people in our community. Their first meeting is Wednesday, November 1, 2:40 - 3:15. There will be a late bus for those who need it. Late buses are at 3:15.

Steam Club Please check the Steam Club Google Classroom for when they will be meeting this upcoming week.

Winterguard There will be an informational meeting at the high school on Wednesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the LGI.

Themed Fridays - This Friday staff and students are encouraged to wear wildcat gear to school. for Wildcat Friday!

Here is a great opportunity for our 5th and 6th-grade students to compete in Winterguard! There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, November 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the LGI at the high school. General information, expectations, and schedule will be shared as well as any questions answered.

As you may be aware you can submit daily absences in ParentVUE. It is important to submit these absences by 9:30 am each day. If you are submitting after 9:30 for the current day please call or email ...(put your information that matches your school). Below you will find some important instructions for how to use the "Report Absence" function within ParentVUE.

Submission Instructions:

1. Click "Report Absence"

2. Enter the date that the student is or will be absent. If they will only be absent one day the end date should match the start date. If the student will be out multiple days the end date should be the last date they will be absent before returning back to school.

3. Select A Reason

4. Enter the reason in the "Note" box. This is important and is required to verify the reason for absence.

Thank you to the families participating in the Cherrydale fundraiser. So far, you have raised $4,871.20! Thank you!

There is still time to sell if you would like to register your child at www.shopfund.com. Thank you to the 112 families who have registered to sell--the WGIS really appreciates your support.

If you prefer not to sell anything, there is a "Cherrydale Fundraiser Opt Out" donation opportunity here: https://wgms.memberhub.com/store/items/941875.

There are a few days left to sell! Thank you for supporting the WGIS PTA!

Please consider joining the WGIS Parent Teacher Association! We work hard to make it the best possible school experience for all students and seek to support WGIS teachers and staff.

Thank you to our 183 members! We appreciate your support and are thankful for your $10 donation to the PTA. If you haven’t joined yet, here is the link to become a member. With 700+ families in our school, our goal is to have at least 200 members this school year.

WGIS is starting its 40 books challenge! This is a personal challenge for any students, teachers, staff and family members that would like to participate. There are no requirements for which books to read and there is not a requirement for when or how much time to spend reading. The only requirement is that you challenge yourself to read books you would not normally read!

Students, families and staff can submit books read to Mrs. McGuire through email or in person.

The WGIS PTA is offering a spirit wear store link until November 10th for families: https://actionprintwear.com/wgis_pta_2023/shop/home

All orders will be shipped to home and will arrive by the second week of December. The WGIS school shirt is available via this link for parents who missed the initial deadline to order.

This is not a fundraiser for the PTA. Parents requested the PTA provide an option for parents to buy school gear so as a courtesy we set this up with local business Action Print Wear. Any questions related to products, prices, or delivery should be directed to the vendor. Thanks.

Please consider joining us for one of the coffee and conversation sessions regarding the pending land purchase by the West Genesee School District of the Westvale Golf Course.

Here is our flyer with information to order a yearbook for this school year. The cost is $25 if you order before December 31st and then goes up to $30 from January through March. Our yearbook staff always puts out a great product.

• 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.

Please be sure to activate your ParentVUE accounts as this will give you access to student schedules, attendance, busing information and more. If you are having difficulty activating your account, email or call us here at WGIS.

• October 31, 2023 - Halloween
• November 1, 2023 - Chess Club Meeting, 2:40 - 3:15
• November 1, 2023 - Interact Club Meeting, 2:40 - 3:15
• November 1, 2023 - Winterguard Informational Meeting, 6:00, WGHS LGI
• November 1, 2023 - BOE Meeting, WGHS Library
  
• November 3, 2023 - Wildcat Friday