Superintendent Message from August 18 Edition: Getting Ready for the Start of School
Dear West Genesee Families,
The new school year is nearing. Fall JV/Varsity Athletics begin next week, and the Wildcat Band held the Annual “Band Camp” with continuing evening rehearsals. These are (literally) the sights and sounds of the school year approaching. New staff will soon meet in orientation sessions and, in many cases, partner with their veteran mentors. The Board of Education and District Leadership Team each dedicated a day for ongoing work and upcoming progress of programs and initiatives. The 2023-2024 School Year is on the horizon.
Please access our online Events Calendar/Information Guide below. This is available prior to the hardcopy that will be sent home during the first week of school. Please use the version that you are most comfortable with to look for important dates and events that will highlight the school year. Truly, your presence completes the partnership for our students’ success and celebrates their accomplishments.
Student class schedules and related information will come out soon. Elementary Schools (East Hill, Onondaga Road, Split Rock, and Stonehedge) will mail information on Friday, August 18, 2023. Transportation information will be ready to be released before Friday, August 25, 2023. Schedules for West Genesee Intermediate School, Camillus Middle School, and West Genesee High School will be available Monday, August 28, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. via StudentVUE and ParentVUE.
Thank you to our school counselors and Mrs. Monica Canterino, Director of Counseling Services, for the recently published newsletter found here. The cited resources include helpful websites, tips and suggestions, various school orientation dates, and resources available for students and families. Please keep this information for current use and future reference, as needed.
We are all anticipating and preparing for the upcoming school year. Be sure to take time to relish the remaining days of summer. We experience a wide variety of seasons and should take full advantage of that which comes with each time of year. Very soon, we will return to more typical routines that will bring us back together more often. Across the year and through transitions, we continue to work together as West Genesee Wildcats!
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent Message from July 18 Edition: Summer is a Busy Time
You may remember that last month my message referenced starting and finish lines. That analogy doesn’t match perfectly to schools when referencing the months of July and August. This time is quite different from the rest of the year, but it is nonetheless integral to our long-term mission.
School buildings have a very different level of activity right now. The commitment to students occurs in summer programming that includes camp experiences, extended school year learning, and supplements for credit and preparation for assessments. For the latter, we are appreciative of our OCM BOCES partners and efforts for Regional Summer School that is hosted at Camillus Middle School. Of course, the presence of our Camillus Parks and Recreation Programs in our schools continues strong in the summer months, as well. Quality experiences continue outside of the regular school year.
Other important work includes recruiting and hiring new staff, professional development, facilities upgrades and maintenance, fine tuning schedules, and managing important changes in assignments and responsibilities. Please remember that if a building is undergoing construction, there will be information to access services that may include temporary relocations and alternate methods to serve the needs of our community.
Allow me to point out August 3 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. when we will hold an in-person Job Fair. Set at Stonehedge Elementary School, the evening will be an opportunity to visit with District representatives to discover opportunities for employment in our District. We are proud of our outstanding staff and continue to welcome others to join this team that services our students and community at the highest levels. Please come and join us or pass the information along to someone you know that may be interested.
Despite the nature of the summer, this newsletter continues to be filled with acknowledgments and praise for our students’ successes. Please enjoy well-deserved kudos for our students and important information for families. It is filled with many examples of what makes us all proud to be Wildcats!
David C. Bills
Superintendent of Schools