West Genesee School District
January 26, 2024
Administration Updates
Message from the Superintendent
Dear West Genesee Families,
Our students are quite impressive. I have known this, but have recently been struck by the extent to which our students take on leadership opportunities, self-advocate, and rally with and for their school. We see this during athletics and fine arts ensembles; veteran members setting the tone and expectation of success. We also know that our events for students are increased in quality when they are planned with students. More and more, this is translated from that role at the high school to the roles our students fill in the middle, intermediate, and elementary levels.
There are other ways of participating and adding a valuable voice that are evidenced in our schools. Students who lead yearly reviews of programs, participate on interview teams, grow and enhance clubs, or serve on District committees. It has been my pleasure to meet with individuals and groups of students to discuss their projects for Participation in Government or SUPA Policy Studies classes. Beyond the assignment, I am continually impressed with the passion the students exhibit for their chosen topic and the extent to which they research and offer alternatives.
I would be remiss not to acknowledge the teachers and families that support our students and who are catalysts for the above student initiative and involvement in. Our staff is exceptional. I have never known a group more committed to students across an expansive number of interactions. Similarly, the commitment and involvement of parents/caregivers is extraordinary and appreciated. Thank you!
Take a moment to see examples in the E-Newsletter of the quality of our youth, staff, and that which you support from home. What may seem ordinary is, in fact, extraordinary.
Thank you,
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
Student Recognitions
Music Students are Selected for Senior High and Junior High Jazz All-County Concerts
Eight musicians from West Genesee High School and Camillus Middle School have been selected to perform in the Junior High All-County Jazz Festival being held at Skaneateles High School on April 5-6. They are listed below along with the instrument that they play.
Junior High All-County Jazz
- Tenor Saxophone-Alexander Carkey
Trumpet-Evelyn Dimmel, Max Nolan
Senior High All-County Jazz
- Trumpet-Harrison Card
Drum Set-Oliver Rufa, Jacob Scerbo
Trombone-Nathan Smith
Vibes-Will Rufa
Eight New Members Inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA)
In 2017-2018 West Genesee High School established the WGHS Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA). This year an induction ceremony into the NHSDA was held on January 11, 2024 to welcome the eight new members.
Induction into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Secondary Program is earned through the accumulation of at least 30 points awarded for dance activities such as dance classes, rehearsals, performances, research, workshops, or community service activities, alongside a GPA of at least 85. Their dance grade must be 93 or above. In addition, the prospective student’s demonstration of collaborative teamwork, motivation, and leadership in the many aspects of dance (e.g., choreography, performance, mentoring, and production) are factors in the determination of eligibility for induction. The goals of this program are to promote life-long learning in the field of dance and to encourage an understanding of and an appreciation for dance as an art form. This is one of the highest honor programs for dance in the United States.
Congratulations to the students from West Genesee High School who were eligible for membership and were inducted in January 2024: Enya Dafoe, Julia Kelly, Lilyanna Kupiec, Lila Parrott, Juliana Scialdone, Kyra Vargas, Rebecca Vella, and Hannah Wood.
Musical at the High School
Coming Soon to the High School....West Genesee Enchanting Performance of the Musical Cinderella
The curtain opens on February 8-10, 2024 for West Genesee’s enchanting performance of Cinderella. This fresh, new 2013 Broadway Version remains the heartfelt tale that we all know and love. The characters wish to take charge of their own lives and destinies. Landing a prince will have to be earned, but the magic we have come to expect is ever-present.
The production team (Andrea Scerbo, producer; Kristyn Sperduti, director; Tony Alvaro, music director; Natasha Skidmore, choreographer; Don Schuessler, technical director; Cindy Kissane, costume designer; Bill Mercer, lighting designer; Sophia Knowlton and Angelo Procopio, director’s assistants; Enya Dafoe, dance captain) is incredibly proud of the talented students that comprise the cast, crew, and orchestra of this production.
WGHS will be presenting Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella on February 8 (7:00 p.m.), February 9 (7:00 p.m.) and February 10 (1:00 p.m. and 6:00 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.
Click here for the full article with more plot and cast information.
It Happened at School...
WGHS Students Participate in Leadership Summit
On January 15, 2024 WGHS sophomores Amelia Vezey, Harrison Card, and Sarai Card attended a Tri-M Leadership Summit at Westhill High School focused around Matthew Arau’s “Upbeat” book. He was the keynote speaker. They were joined by 85 other local students.
Staff Recognitions
Meet our School Nurses: This Week...Annie Zeleznock
We would like to introduce you to Annie Zeleznock who is one of the nurses at Stonehedge Elementary School.
She is a St. Joseph’s Hospital College of Nursing graduate, where she received her Associates of Science degree in Nursing/Registered Nursing (RN) in 2004.
Zeleznock started her nursing career as an Operating Room RN at St. Joseph’s Hospital in 2004 specializing in Orthopedic and Neurological Surgery along with Vascular and Open Heart surgery.
She joined the West Genesee School District in 2020 as a substitute nurse for the District and then accepted a full time position at Onondaga Road Elementary School in 2022.
She grew up in Camillus, NY and currently lives in Warners with her husband Dave and their three children Ryan (15), Tim (14) and Kayleigh (7).
In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events and is excited to attend her daughter’s first CSPA performance (Aladdin Jr.) in April. She also enjoys camping in the Adirondacks with her family during the summer and skiing in the winter.
Annie is excited to get to know all the students and work with the staff at Stonehedge Elementary School.
UPK & Kindergarten Registration/Closing Information/Calendar Info
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
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
WGCSD Seeks a Maintenance Worker with HVAC Experience
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.
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 is Looking to Hire Full-time and Substitute Custodians
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.
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 LPN Nurses are Needed at WGCSD
WGCSD is hiring substitute LPN nurses.
Inquiries about this position can be sent to Stephanie Skardinski at sskardinski@westgenesee.org.
Upcoming Events
- January 31, 2024 BOE Executive Session-5:30 p.m. in the East Hill Elementary School Library Classroom
- January 31, 2024 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m. in the East Hill Elementary School Cafeteria
- February 6-7, 2024 WGCSD Strategic Planning Team Meeting
- February 14, 2024 BOE Claims Audit Sub-Committee Meeting-5:30 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Library Classroom
- February 14, 2024 BOE Meeting-6:00 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Library
- February 19-23, 2024 Winter Recess-No School