Message from the Superintendent/Social Media Tips-March 28, 2024

Message from Superintendent Bills/Social Media Tips-April 12, 2024

West Genesee CSD

April 12, 2024

Dear West Genesee Families,

Kindness that is received in an unexpected or seemingly random way can be very uplifting. When someone makes a gesture of kindness, the effort and intent is significant. That is not to suggest otherwise low expectations or a cynical attitude, but rather the pace of our daily interactions that can make such an act a surprise. Further reflection adds an appreciation of the purposefulness of the act, the resulting feeling of worth, and the change in demeanor experienced by the recipient.

If receiving kindness feels so good, why not consider it infectious? How many opportunities do we have in the course of even one day to pass that along to someone else? Do we look for those chances before us; opening a door, picking up a dropped item, helping to work through a struggle, just saying hello in passing?

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” - Princess Diana.

“It takes courage to be kind.” – Maya Angelou

In recent days, I was witness to and the recipient of many such acts during routine interactions of my own days. In unfamiliar settings and unknown to those around me, there was a veritable “default” of kind acts, small gestures, and pleasant interactions. I promised myself I would pass it along. The quotes above provide inspiration and reminders for us all. This message to you is part of that thanks for the hundreds and hundreds of interactions we all experience in our schools and community every day.

Please enjoy this e-Newsletter filled with accomplishments of students, signs of growth, and important upcoming events. Let’s go Wildcats!

Sincerely,

David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools

Please notice the Social Media Tips below that I shared in the last e-Newsletter. Let's keep the conversation going with our youth in order to keep everyone safe!

Social Media Tips

Ways to support our youth with social media:

1) Speak to your children about reporting any concerning posts or suspicious activities on social media to a trusted adult. It is important that children understand they will not be punished for reporting a post and that we will protect their anonymity as we investigate the concern. It is also important for students to refrain from sharing or otherwise passing along inappropriate posts, as it contributes to a violation of the WGCSD Code of Conduct.

2) Explain how TIP411 works to your children. Tip411 is an anonymous communication tool that allows students to report serious concerns to schools. Tip411 will provide an option for those students who may not have a trusted adult to relay their concerns. (Note: At times, there may be follow-up questions. Because of the anonymity, it is important to check back to the original TIP411 report.)

3) Encourage your children to seek the truth regarding information online and reporting questionable posts to trusted adults rather than sharing misinformation that causes more confusion than clarity.

4) Speak with your children about school shootings and other tragic events and the fear we all feel as we navigate this unfortunate reality of online threats. Having an open dialogue about school safety is important, especially when threats occur. Here is a link from Child Mind Institute that can help guide that sometimes difficult conversation: How to Talk to Kids About School Shootings | Child Mind Institute.

5) Please relay any social media threats to school administrators so we can begin our investigation and involve the police, if necessary. We take each threat seriously and have a protocol to address each incident. As information becomes available, the District will provide updates to parents.