Message from the Superintendent-February 14, 2025
Dear West Genesee Families and Staff,
West Genesee has a storied past and an ongoing reputation for continued and future successes. We look to the future and to continue rich traditions. Recently, that has been on my mind.
Look to the Future
Earlier this year, a group of hard-working student-athletes made history with the first match of our Girls’ Wrestling program! (December 13, 24 E-Newsletter “A Wildcat First”)
Last week, the Boys 7th/8th Volleyball team hosted the first match in the history of the Boys’ Volleyball program. In front of stands filled with supporters, these student-athletes check a box of Wildcat history to grow our prestigious volleyball program with the addition of a boys’ competitive team. The team played strong and provided a preview of what will become a formidable part of our region. Congratulations to these Wildcats and their supporters who will forever be able to say they were there at the beginning!
This weekend, our West Genesee Cadet Colorguard team continues, in only their second season, to represent us well. The group traveled to East-Syracuse Minoa for the 2025 Spartan Spectacular Winter Guard Show. They outdistanced three other groups for a 1st place finish in the Cadet Class. Congratulations to these student-athletes!
Rich Traditions
An impressive number of students from West Genesee High School worked for months toward their performances this past weekend. The Fine Arts Department presented this year’s musical Disney's The Little Mermaid. Each of the four performances included a full house of audience members who were able to experience this outstanding show! Continuing the long history of shows, this group performed at a level seen in professional productions! Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for providing these unforgettable musical experiences. Bravo!
A Connection Between Both
Audience members witnessed a very special moment during one of the performances. During a big moment in the show, the stage is filled and the auditorium includes cast members performing in the aisles. During the song “Under the Sea”, singing and dancing “sea creatures” invited audience members to join the fun. In one instance that I saw, a young child left her seat with wide eyes and a wider smile to dance alongside the cast member. That must have been a wonderful moment for the child! Who knows, that may lead to her participating in a musical one day! Kudos to those “taller Wildcats” for the impression on and modeling for “smaller Wildcats”!
Enjoy this edition of the e-News and be sure to look for a future event to attend.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Message from the Superintendent-January 31, 2025
Dear West Genesee Families and Staff,
Recently, I was in a professional situation with a group of individuals working together on a similar task. The topic was of high interest to the participants, which can be helpful due to the motivation that comes with joining a group. That said, the opposite can be true as familiarity, emotion, and strong opinions can impact the group dynamic, as well. I thought to myself “This is going to be interesting."
And it was.
The group was, and still is, experiencing a process that is known as forming, storming, norming, and performing. The theory is attributed and outlined by Bruce Tuckman, a psychological researcher. It is a quick expression that describes how groups come together, discover differences, establish norms to guide themselves (the understood rules, if you will), and make progress toward high performance. Meeting and establishing routines is helpful to stay on task and maximize a group’s time together.
The process is fluid and will waver between stages, as any relationship or group does. This particular group is making its way and experiencing small setbacks with quick recovery. What I am struck by is the understanding of discourse and the role of disagreeing or having opposing viewpoints, while maintaining a respectful approach. They are listening, considering new ideas, suggesting connections with alternatives, and truly working together while staying true to their own background and perspective.
The above was a regional experience, however, it reminds me of the many, many groups at West Genesee that come together with ad hoc projects, long range planning, and newly formed committees. This is a way of life and part of “co-laboring” that involves varied perspectives. When done with integrity, it can be very powerful.
It directly translates to the skills we develop in our students. Athletic teams, music ensembles, group projects, clubs, and student organizations, to name a few, are part of the many experiences that our students encounter that foster a growing repertoire and skill set for life.
While with the regional group, I was proud to know I work in a place that respects the exchange of ideas, partnerships, and discourse that invites multiple views and respectful interchange. It’s not easy, but is possible and worth the effort.
Perhaps that is part of what makes it, with great frequency, a great day to be a Wildcat!!
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
Oh, and by the way…Shout out to our towns and District personnel that plow and help us to sort through challenging weather. Look for one of these dedicated individuals and tell them “thank you”!!
Message from the Superintendent-January 14, 2025
Dear West Genesee Families,
On behalf of the entire District, we extend our sincere gratitude to our dedicated transportation department and buildings and grounds crews for their exceptional work during the recent heavy snowfall and challenging road conditions.
Their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and staff is truly commendable. Despite the early mornings, long hours, and difficult conditions, they consistently went above and beyond to clear our roads, parking lots, and walkways, allowing for a safe and productive learning environment for all.
We recognize and appreciate their hard work and dedication, which often goes unseen. Their efforts are essential in keeping our schools running smoothly, especially during inclement weather.
As Nelson Mandela once said, "It always seems impossible until it's done." Thank you to our incredible teams for getting it done, day after day!
A Friendly Reminder: Please continue to monitor local media sources for any announcements regarding potential school delays or cancellations, as well as any changes to after-school and evening activities.
Sincerely,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools