Thank You

Thank you to the West Genesee community for passing the 2021-22 school budget. The Budget and Transportation propositions both passed with overwhelming support from our residents. Voters also approved funding for local libraries in our area. Eric Bacon, Kimberly Coyne, and Vladimiro Hart-Zavoli were elected to the Board of Education.

Thank you to the community for your continued support!

WGHS Remote Materials Drop Off

On Wednesday, June 16th, remote students may return their instructional materials. The drop-off will include a drive-through Chromebook and charger return area and a second area for textbooks and other instructional materials. All areas will be set up on the west side of the building at the Technology Office (for Chromebooks & chargers) and Atrium entrance (for textbooks and other instructional materials). The drop off will be available during school hours, 7:45 AM - 2:30 PM.

See this link for remote materials drop off at each of the elementary buildings and middle schools.

Support the Class of 2024 at Chipotle

Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support West Genesee High School Class of 2024. Come in to the Chipotle at 3600 West Genesee Street in Syracuse on Tuesday, May 25th between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Tell the cashier you're supporting the cause to make sure that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to West Genesee High School Class of 2024. Alternatively, order online and use code DYPQH3P in the "promo" filed. Orders place on Chipotle.com or through the Chipotle app for pickup using this unique code will be counted towards the fundraiser.

WGHS Mental Health Resources 

Are you or someone you know struggling? West Genesee Mental Health Resources provide help, hope and healing. Connect with a mental health professional at West Genesee High School and within your community.

Important Dates

• Thursday, May 27th: WGMS Virtual Talent Show will drop during 7th period
• Friday, May 28th - Tuesday, June 1st: No School (Memorial Day and Snow Day Give-Backs)
• Thursday, June 10th: Last Day of Classes for WGHS Seniors
• Friday, June 11th: "Senior Walk" at Elementary buildings
• Friday, June 11th: Last Day of Classes for WGHS Juniors
• Tuesday, June 15th: Last Day of Classes for WGHS Freshmen and Sophomores
• Wednesday, June 23rd and Thursday, June 24th: Remote Student Material Drop Off at WGMS
• Thursday, June 24th and Friday, June 25th: Remote Student Material Drop Off at Elementary Bldgs.
• Thursday, June 24th and Friday, June 25th: Remote Student Material Drop Off at CMS

Be sure to check out the various Principal blogs (links on the right of this page) for building-specific information.

Budget Vote

Hi, Team Remote families! Just a friendly reminder that the annual School District Board of Education Election and Budget Vote will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in the West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby. Click this link for more information and be sure to check out the "More Information" links on the right of the page.

District Updates

Broadway Comes to Team Remote

Fourth grade students enjoyed a live Q & A with Broadway performer Neil Haskell. Neil may be best known for being a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance where he finished third in the final four. He is currently performing in the national touring company's Hamilton, in which he plays King George. Thank you to the 4th grade remote team for setting up this engaging Zoom call. The students asked some great questions!

Remote Material Return

As the school year winds down, it's time to start thinking about returning school-issued materials. Remote students should return their Chromebooks, chargers, calculators, books, etc.

All Elementary Buildings: Remote student material drop off will take place at each elementary building at the main offices on the following dates/times:

• Thursday, June 24th, 12:00- 3:30 PM
• Friday, June 25th, 8:30 AM - 3:30  PM

WGMS: Remote student material drop off will take place at the Lobby/Front Entrance at WGMS on the following dates/times:

• Wednesday, June 23rd, 2:30 - 5:00 PM
• Thursday, June 24th, 8:00 - 10:00 AM

CMS: Remote student material drop off will take place in the bus loop (not the parking lot). Tables will be marked.

• Thursday, June 24th, 2:30 - 5:30 PM
• Friday, June 25th, 7:30 - 10:00 AM

More information for material drop off for the the High School will be coming soon.

Important Dates

• Thursday, May 27th: WGMS Virtual Talent Show (will start streaming during 7th period)
• Friday, May 28th: No School--emergency closure "give back" day
• Monday, May 31st: No School in observance of Memorial Day
• Tuesday, June 1st: No School--emergency closure "give back" day 
• Thursday, June 10th: Last Day of Classes for WGHS Seniors
• Friday, June 11th: Last Day of Classes for WGHS Juniors
• Tuesday, June 15th: Last Day of Classes for WGHS Freshmen & Sophomores

Other People Matter

Hi, Team Remote Families! This week marks the conclusion of our Positivity Project program. Although there are twenty-four character strengths that are addressed throughout the year, the entire program can be summarized in three words: "Other People Matter" Have a listen to Dr. Chris Peterson, one of the Positivity Project's founders as he sums up the value of positive psychology.

Frog and Toad are Friends

Remote 1st grader, Jackson Robertson, reads Frog and Toad are Friends to his dog, Otto.

Mrs. Forsyth: "If moms and dads are busy, pets and stuffed animals make great listeners!"

Jackson: "He's not a good listener!" 

Kudos to Our Future Scientists!

Remote 6th Graders Taegan Todzia-Wade and Lia Frament were recently recognized as WonderKids from the 2021 WonderWorks' WonderKids promotion. Their teacher, Mrs. Bingham, nominated them in the category of Future Scientist. Out of the hundreds of nominations submitted, WonderWorks has chosen Taegan and Lia to be 2021 WonderKids Winners! The Future Scientist Award is presented to students who exhibit a passion for the sciences. They live each day as an innovator and discoverer, hoping one day to change the world through their love of science. Winning students are invited to attend a special winners live zoom/webinar with astronaut Dr. Don Thomas. In addition, they will also receive a nomination certificate (see below) and four tickets to WonderWorks. Congratulations, Taegan and Lia!

Mrs. Bingham's Nomination for Taegan:

Taegan is an all-around great kid who is learning fully remotely this year. He is a big-picture thinker who elevates all class discussions to a higher level. He is funny and fun, and has a way of making others in the class feel ok. All this being said, the number one reason I am nominating him is because I owe him, big time! Taegan is my tech whiz go-to guy every day in class when the technology doesn't work or someone is having tech trouble. He troubleshoots and quietly and politely offers suggestions in order to allow our remote classes to continue. He has this maturity about him well beyond what you'd expect from an 11-year-old. Scientific ideas fascinate Taegan, and with his tech skills, I have no doubt he will meld these two passions into a scientific career that maybe doesn't even exist yet!

Mrs. Bingham's Nomination for Lia:

Lia is a fantastic science and math student who is learning fully remotely this year. She thinks as a scientist in a logical and inquisitive way, and her ideas and suggestions in class for problem solving are always top-notch. Just today it was her idea that got our balloon rocket to go the furthest. She has a confidence in her ideas and has the skills to back up her experimentation, data collection and results. She is analytical and communicates her thoughts well. Lia is a well-liked partner and group member. Lia has worked hard all year, and I know she is deserving of this award and recognition.

Be sure to check out the various Principal blogs (links on the right of this page) for building-specific information.

Leadership

Hi, Team Remote Families! This weeks' Positivity Project character strength is Leadership. This strength means that you value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best. Leadership can be both formal and informal. It is concerned with getting others to do what needs to be done while maintaining group morale to ensure readiness to act in the future. This character strength’s focus is on the personal qualities of leaders, rather than the practice of leadership. These qualities include the ability to understand others and inspire them toward a common goal, the capacity to mitigate conflict and mold consensus, and the desire to lead other people. You can read more about Leadership here. In this week's video example, author Jim Collins shares the "X Factor" of great leadership.

District Updates

Teacher Appreciation Week

The first full week in May marks Teacher Appreciation Week! Please join me in honoring our teachers. In a school year unlike any other, they have worked tirelessly to learn new pedagogies and instructional technology tools to make remote and hybrid teaching and learning as impactful as possible for our students. I could not be more proud of their effort! Thank You, Teachers! 

WGMS Student Council Virtual Talent Show

The WGMS Student Council Virtual Talent Show is here! If 5th and 6th graders are interested in participating, please review the linked files below. Auditions must be submitted the week of May 3rd through May 7th.

• Talent Show Rules & Regulations
• Talent Show Guidelines

WGHS Mental Health Night for Teens and their Parents

Please join West Genesee Central School District and Onondaga Free Library online on Tuesday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. for a webinar on Help & Hope for School and Pandemic Stresses: Sharing Stories and Strategies. Teens and parents are invited to learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions as well as what steps they should take to find support for themselves or their friends. Presented by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Syracuse. NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. For more information, visit https://namisyracuse.org/. Please submit questions ahead of time by Monday, May 3, at 3:00 p.m. to gmallore@westgenesee.org. Questions can also be submitted through the Q&A feature during the discussion and will be answered as time permits. Click here for the details for registering/sending an RSVP to receive the link to the event. Space is limited by Zoom and an RSVP is required by May 4 at 5:00 p.m.

WGHS Upcoming Senior Events

Friday, May 7th: Cap and Gown Day

• In-person Seniors will attend their first period class for attendance and will be dismissed at 8:00 AM.
• Remote Seniors who plan on picking up their cap and gown can arrive at WGHS prior to 7:40 AM and report to Cafeteria I for attendance. 
• PTSA and Senior Class will treat the students to Glazed and Confused donuts
• Seniors will receive their caps and gowns before they are dismissed by 10:00 AM.
• Contact Jostens with questions about your order: 315-656-5152/larry.dewitt@jostens.com
• Click here for more information about all upcoming Senior Events.

Snow Days in May and June?!

Every now and again, Old Man Winter goes relatively easy on Central New York. This school year is one of those years! If we have no additional emergency closing days, our “give back” days will be Friday, May 28 and Tuesday, June 1. If we have an emergency closing between now and then, June 1 will be reinstated as a regular school day, followed by May 28 if we have a second emergency closing.

Be sure to check out the various Principal blogs (links on the right of this page) for building-specific information.