Dear West Genesee Families,
In recent days, there have been many various events and recognitions that are completely different from one another. What they share is the outstanding effort, ongoing resiliency, and commitment to hard work that yields positive results. I’d like to share them with you.
Interviews
Camillus Middle School students in Career and Financial Management classes were tasked with participating in a mock interview. More than 130 students prepared for an assigned time with one of the 48 adults serving as interviewers in search of a new barista at a coffee shop. Their charge was to ready themselves for questions and present themselves for the experience; time, location, dress, introductions, responding to questions, and engaging in discussion. It makes my heart race a bit writing this similar to the natural feeling of an on-demand interview.
The students performed wonderfully! They put the pieces together for advocating and convincing a future employer without seeming to brag. They responded to their character strengths with supporting examples. They identified growth areas (a.k.a. “weaknesses”) to illustrate their willingness to continue to learn. These are young people that are going to go places and make a difference. Thank you to everyone participating, Joanne Tomi for creating the experience, and to the student-interviewees who impressed us all. Well done, Wildcats!
A Wildcat First
A group of student-athletes expressed interest, worked with coaches, gathered to coordinate, and are now a functioning team. Congratulations to our new Girls Wrestling program who hosted their first match this week. Their determination and all-out effort switched to full when facing their opponent and at the sound of the whistle.
A conversation on the sidelines referenced the future when the members of this group will likely attend a sporting event years from now. That conversation will most certainly include a reflection of “I was on the very first Girls’ Wrestling team in the history of West Genesee”… and they are deserving of such accolades. Thank you to coaches, parents, and all supporters and congratulations WG Girls’ Wrestlers!
Rolling their Sleeves Up
A Superintendent Student Advisory Committee was created in recent years. At approximately the same time, students became members of the Strategic Planning Team, now known as the District Guiding Coalition. In both of these settings, there are representatives from each grade level, and they are involved in important topics of District and building growth, assume leadership responsibilities, and use their voice to make a difference.
West Genesee is often referenced as a special place. Students giving their time in this type of service is emblematic of that very term. They take an extraordinary level of involvement in a stride that suggests typical. It is not, but it does set the tone of “that’s what we do here...” because it is a special place.
Hard Work and Skill Set
An impressive amount of time developing craft is connected to many of our students’ experiences. Participating in our Visual Arts programs is no exception. What can be described as a talent, and it is, deserves the credit of a commitment and hard work that develops across time.
This year’s wishes of a "Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year" will include the names of Aaron Rider, Board President, along with my name to represent the West Genesee Board of Education and Administrators, respectively. The real names to look for are those of the two students selected for their creation that will be shared with community and staff. Congratulations Lilianna Martin and Sarah Sullivan and thank you for adding to this wonderful season in this special place.
Julie and I send best wishes of a wonderful holiday season to you and your family.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools