West Genesee School District

Dear West Genesee Families,

We are back! Summer preparation concluded, professional development sessions were held, the entire staff gathered at the stadium, and then the students returned. I am always surprised by how quickly everyone adjusts and shifts back to daily routines. It doesn’t happen without everyone’s combined effort to suddenly change from the summer months. Please accept my thanks for that commitment.

I would like to highlight the West Genesee Transportation Department for the seemingly herculean way that the school year starts. Thank you to our drivers, monitors, mechanics, dispatchers, administrators, and all office personnel that support communication. To Mrs. Deb Price, Director of Transportation and the whole department, we appreciate all you do each day!

Of course, it is natural for each day to become smoother than the day prior, but it is still a daunting task to move 4,000+ student riders, all of whom are in new situations, many of whom are in new locations. Thank you for understanding the adjustments that are made, particularly as we discover efficiencies and ridership estimates become more predictable. Please call the Transportation Department with any pertinent information or clarification that can support our mutual goal of timely and safe travel every day.

I would like to thank everyone for understanding the return to “group stops” that will help reduce the length of runs. Keep in mind that each moment that is timelier adds up across a full route. There should be no large gatherings or long distance, but rather the grouping of neighbors in small numbers; i.e., three students meeting at one driveway to reduce two stops. That is an example of everyone doing their part to help. Thank you.

We currently have approximately 80 runs that make up the majority of of our possible total runs (all to and from school) that are filled with experienced staff. Between substitutes and prospective drivers that are currently in training, we hope to build the workforce and grow the pool of substitutes that support the unexpected and scheduled absences. Please be sure to mention to anyone you know that we are hiring for the Transportation Department and other areas listed below in this e-newsletter. Please consider joining a team that is committed to the youth of our community.

It is great to go back to the “full swing” of daily teaching and learning and events outside the classroom. Take the time to come to an athletic event, a fine arts performance, a PTA/PTO meeting, and the Curriculum Nights/Open Houses that increase your involvement in our schools. Thank you for all you do to be a part of this great community of Wildcats!

David C. Bills

Superintendent of Schools

We would like to thank everyone for a great start to the school year. All of our staff, parents, and students worked together and made the beginning of school a success!

Click here to view some pictures from the first week of school.(Check out the West Genesee Facebook and Instagram pages for posts that contain more pictures.)

Pictured above, from left to right, are musicians Elena Pacheco, Daniel Alvaro, Joanna Ray, John Diem, and Samantha Bullock.

Five West Genesee High School musicians were accepted into, or as alternates, to the All-State Conference to perform in Rochester, November 30-December 3, 2023. The conference, including the final concerts, will take place at the Rochester Convention Center in the Eastman Theatre and is sponsored by the NYS School Music Association. The students from West Genesee High School are:

• Elena Pacheco-Clarinet-Symphonic Band
• Daniel Alvaro-Bass 2-Mixed Chorus
• Daniel Alvaro-French Horn-Alternate Symphonic Band
• Samantha Bullock-Soprano 2-Mixed Chorus
• John Diem-Tenor 1-Mixed Chorus
• Joanna Ray-Alto 1-Mixed Chorus
• Joanna Ray-Flute-Alternate Symphonic Band

The online District 2023-2024 Events Online Calendar is now available from the website homepages. You can also access the one-page District calendar by going to the Calendars webpage.

Note: A hardcopy of the WGCSD 2023-2024 Events Calendar/Information Guide should have come home (one per family) the first few weeks of school! If you still need one, please contact your school office or email publications@westgenesee.org to request additional calendars.

• Modified 7/8/9 Girls Volleyball-10/30/23 (Winter 1)
• Modified 7/8/9 Boys Basketball-10/30/23 (Winter 1)

• JV & Varsity Winter Sports-11/13/23

• Modified: Boys 7/8 Swimming, Girls 7/8/9 Basketball, 7/8 Wrestling-1/7/24 (Winter 2)

Sign-ups/Registrations on familyid.com are 30 days prior to the start date.

We launched the redesigned West Genesee website on September 1 taking 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.

In addition to the new website, we 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).

From each hompage (District/School/Fine Arts/Athletics) click on the arrow () at the right of the photo gallery to see another quicklinks menu.

Visit https://westgeneseecsdny.sites.thrillshare.com/page/adult-education now for complete course descriptions and to register online. Don't wait to register, class space is limited.

You will receive the Adult Education brochure in the September edition of The Communicator in your mailboxes the week of September 18.....but don't wait, register today!

Check out the return of your favorites as well as a few new and exciting classes!

• 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.

We are looking for a Maintenance Worker I to undertake the responsibility to preserve the good condition and functionality of our premises. Inquiries can be made to Buildings and Grounds at (315) 487-4630.

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.

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.

• September 20, 2023 Board of Education Meeting-High School Library-6:00 p.m.