As an example, the video below depicts the "overview effect" that astronauts describe--and their intense feeling of awe. The video is about 20 minutes but it is well worth the time to view.
Ramadan Mubarak! That means “Happy Ramadan” to our Muslim community members. This year, Ramadan begins in the evening of Tuesday, April 13, and ends in the evening on Wednesday, May 12. Ramadan concludes with Eid Al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.”
If you’d like more information about Ramadan, what it means to our Muslim community members, and how to support students who will be celebrating Ramadan, please click HERE for a write-up from West Genesee High School Senior Sereen Awawda.
Andrew Sorochak and his family also went to Lowe’s, and this time got a piñata filled w mystery seeds! He has to break it open to find out what the seeds are.
Ramadan
If you’d like more information about Ramadan, what it means to our Muslim community members, and how to support students who will be celebrating Ramadan, please click HERE for a write-up from West Genesee High School Senior Sereen Awawda.
Spring Has Sprung!
Reminder: Lowe's Spring Fest promotion continues throughout April.
- Registration on Lowe's Website
- April 22: 500,000 tree saplings given out in honor of Earth Day.
- April 29: Lowe’s Butterfly Quest which helps families create a butterfly garden.
Check out the smile on Remote 2nd Grader McKenna Ramsey's face as she shares a picture of her Lowe's free Garden-to-Go kit!
Andrew Sorochak and his family also went to Lowe’s, and this time got a piñata filled w mystery seeds! He has to break it open to find out what the seeds are.
District Updates
Spirit Week: April 26 - 30
Next week is Spirit Week! The flier pictured below shows what students should wear each day should they choose to participate. 
6th Grade Family and Consumer Science Classes
Wednesday, April 21st, marks the last day of FACS classes for remote 6th graders. FACS is a 10-week course and our remote students have fulfilled their FACS requirements. Students are welcome to continue to access Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Boswell, and Ms. Tomi's FACS website for resources. NYS ELA and Math Assessments
Fully Remote students are NOT required to sit for the annual NYS ELA and Math Assessments this year. However, if you would like your child to "opt-in" to sit for the exams, you can contact your child's building principal.
NYS ELA and Math Assessments for Grades 3 - 4
The information below is from East Hill Principal Craig's blog:
Our third and fourth graders will take the New York State English Language Arts Assessment next Wednesday, April 21st, and the NYS Math Assessment on Tuesday, May 4th. The test is only one session this year and should take no more than one hour. The tests, administered on the computer, will be given to only in-person students (not remote). Like every other day, please make sure your child comes to school well rested, well fed, and on time. Our fourth graders will also take the multiple choice portion of the NYS Science Assessment on Monday, June 7th.
NYS ELA and Math Assessments for Grades 5 - 6
The information below is from WGMS Principal Dunhan's blog:
The New York State Assessments in ELA and Mathematics for grades 5 and 6 will be given in one session and consist of only multiple choice questions. The assessments are computer-based and will be administered in your child’s regular homeroom class. Any student who is not taking the assessment should still attend school and will be able to read during the administration of the assessment. Fully remote students will not be taking the assessments unless parents choose to send their students into the building on the day of the assessments. Please mark your calendars for the assessment dates:
- April 20th (Tuesday): ELA, MON/TUE Group A
- April 23rd (Friday): ELA, THU/FRI Group B
- May 5th (Wednesday): Math, All Students
NYS ELA and Math Assessments for Grades 7 - 8
The information below is from CMS Principal Lozier's blog:
The New York State Assessments in ELA and Mathematics for grades 7 and 8 will be given in one session and will consist of 50 multiple choice questions. The assessments are computer-based and will be administered in your child’s regularly scheduled ELA and Mathematics classes. The science assessment is for grade 8 only and is administered in a booklet format. It will be given in your child’s science class. Please mark your calendars for the dates:
- April 19th (Monday): ELA, Mon/Tues Cohort
- April 22nd (Thursday): ELA, Thur/Fri Cohort
- May 4th (Tuesday): Math, All Students
- June 8th (Tuesday): Science, Grade 8 Only
NYS Regents Exams
The information below is from WGHS Principal Ackle's blog:
New York State's waiver request was denied by the US Department of Education. We will be offering the following four New York State Regents Exams: English Language Arts(ELA), Living Environment(LE), Earth Science(ES), and Algebra 1. The dates for these exams are as follows:We will administer the NYS Regents Exams during the morning sessions.
- ELA- Thursday, June 17
- LE- Tuesday, June 22
- Algebra 1- Wednesday, June 23
- ES-Thursday, June 24
Below is some further information relating to this year's NYS Regents Exams:
- We are obligated to offer the exams. If your child has a cumulative 4 quarter passing average and is mathematically able to receive course credit, they do not have to sit for the exam and will receive both course and regents credit. Again, that's IF they are passing the class.
- For classes that have regents exams that are not listed above, (i.e. Chemistry, Physics Global History, US History, Geometry, Algebra 2) again, if your child is passing the class, they will automatically obtain the Regents/graduation credit without having to take the exam as long as they have a 4 quarter passing average.
- What happens if my child does not pass a class this year? The student would then attend summer school or some other type of remedial program such as Grad Point. If they satisfactorily pass the course in summer school, they would then be awarded course credit and regents credit (if the course ends in a regents exam). If they do not attend summer school to make up a failed course, they would have to retake it next year AND take the Regents Exam connected with the class in June 2022.
