A Very Special Week

I hope you enjoyed the long Memorial Day weekend and were able to get together with family and friends for picnics, parades, and fireworks as we remembered those who died in active military service for our country. It is also a wonderful treat to see our Middle School band students and high school Marching Bands march in the Camillus Memorial Day Parade.

Budget Passes: Thank you for your continued support in passing the annual school budget last Tuesday. We appreciate the trust that our community showed for our vision, our employees, and most importantly, our students. Click here to read the results of the budget, propositions, and Board of Education Elections.  

Superintendent Search: On May 31, the names of the final candidates for Superintendent will be announced. On Tuesday, June 4, the Superintendent Candidates Public Forum will be held in the high school auditorium from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity for the community to meet and listen to the candidates give an overview of their work experience, along with their goals and vision for the future of West Genesee Central School District. Community members will be given cards to provide written feedback on each candidate.

Special Olympics held at Cicero-North Syracuse High School: Congratulations to all of the West Genesee athletes from Onondaga Road Elementary School, Split Rock Elementary School, Camillus Middle School, West Genesee Middle School, and West Genesee High School who participated on May 23 in the Special Olympics held at Cicero-North Syracuse High School! There was great weather, sportsmanship, and fun for all, and the kids did a great job, as always! Click here to view a photo gallery of the West Genesee students who participated.

West Genesee Elementary Olympics: The next day, May 24, the West Genesee Inaugural Elementary Olympics for special education students took place at the high school. 

When we learned that the criteria for athletes to participate in this year’s Special Olympics in North Syracuse would prevent several elementary students from participating, some of whom had been participating for years, East Hill Elementary School physical education teacher Molly O'Keefe decided to do something about it.

She worked with the West Genesee Central School District physical education staff as well as a team of interested East Hill staff to pull off this event. WGHS students in the Positivity Project Club, as well as several other student volunteers, helped to make this day special.

Fifty-nine West Genesee Elementary students (from East Hill, Onondaga Road, Split Rock and Stonehedge Elementary Schools) participated this year. It was a very special event for all! Click here to read the full article and to view a photo gallery of the event.

Athletic Updates: This is a busy week for our teams as they move forward in sectional and championship play. 

• The Baseball team will play host today for the Section 3 Quarter-Final vs FM at 4:30 p.m. 
• The Girls Lacrosse team will compete tonight at 5:00 p.m. against Baldwinsville in the Section 3 Championship at SUNY Cortland. 
• The Boys tennis doubles team of Mannara and Plunkett will be competing at NYS Championships beginning May 30 in Flushing Meadows, NY. 
• The Boys Golf team will be represented by Nick Bove, who will be participating in the NYS Championships at Cornell on June 1. 
• The Boys and Girls track teams have several individual athletes and relay teams that will be competing in the NYS Qualifiers on May 31 at CNS and then on to the NYS Championships in Middletown on June 7.

Good luck to all our athletes.

I am looking forward to a great week!
~Mike

Spring has Finally Arrived

This past weekend has given us the confidence that spring has finally arrived here in Syracuse. The weather, rain storms and all, certainly lifts our spirits as we head toward Memorial Day weekend.

On Monday night we had a nice turnout for the West Side Support Network Mental Health Awareness and Wellness Night. This was a great opportunity for families and community members to hear from speakers about addiction, anxiety, substance abuse, and recovery. I am sure we all might know someone who struggles with one or all of these diseases and offering this support allows families to know that they are not alone in this battle.

Budget Vote: Please remember that the Annual Budget Vote is today at the West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby. It is important that you get out and exercise your right to vote.

There are four propositions to be voted on and five candidates running for three open Board of Education seats. The doors will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Corporate Challenge: Today looks like it will be a great day for the Corporate Challenge Run. We have 100 runners signed up to participate. With such a large turnout from West Genesee, we are the winner of a $1,500 scholarship. #WildcatPride

Sectional Games: This week is a busy week for our athletic teams and individuals as they begin sectional competitions. Good luck to all athletes and teams who work hard and always give their best.

Kaleidoscope 44: The 44th Annual Kaleidoscope concert will take place in the Mulroy Civic Center this Thursday evening, May 23, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available in advance at the Main and Fine Arts Office, directly from Etix.com, or at the Civic Center box office the evening of the performance. It is going to be a great night of wonderful entertainment!

~Mike

Spring Flowers are in Full Bloom

We have such talented West Genesee Middle School students. Check out these wonderful Mother’s Day gifts made in the middle school technology class. I am sure the moms who received these gifts were delighted.

I hope all the moms out there had a wonderful Mother’s Day celebrating with family. I wish the weather had been a little nicer, but no matter what it was like outside, I am sure your homes were filled with love and celebration.

Senior Ball: My wife Nancy and I had the honor and pleasure of attending the Senior Ball last Friday evening. The students all looked great in their formal attire and I was impressed with how polite and well behaved the students were as they enjoyed the evening with their friends. It was great to see them creating those lasting memories of high school before they head off to their future endeavors.

The night was rounded out with the All-Night Party held at the high school immediately following the ball. A big thank you to the West Genesee High School PTSA, all of the parent volunteers, law enforcement, and administrators for committing to the event. Having an organized party like this in place truly helps to keep our students safe and happy.

Earlier in the day, Camillus Police Captain James Nightingale and West Genesee High School Resource Officer/Camillus Police Officer, Anthony Gucciardi shared important messages about making smart decisions to ensure an enjoyable, but safe, Senior Ball experience. We extend our appreciation to them for their time and dedication to our students.

Superintendent Search: The Board of Education has begun the screening and interview process for the next Superintendent of Schools at West Genesee. We have an experienced and highly qualified candidate pool.

The West Genesee community is invited to hear presentations from three final candidates for the Superintendent position from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, in the West Genesee High School auditorium. To read more about this event, click here.

West Side Support Network Mental Health Awareness and Wellness Night: Be sure to mark your calendars for this event to be held on Monday, May 20, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the high school. This is an information and resource night to provide opportunities for families and community members to hear from speakers addressing topics impacting our society today such as anxiety, addiction, substance abuse, and recovery. Click here to read the full article about this upcoming event.

Update on Athletics: All eight of our varsity spring teams have qualified for NYS Scholar Athlete Team honors from NYSPHSAA. It means that the average grades of 75% of each team's athletes were 90 or better, and we had a total of 143 varsity athletes with an average of 90 or better that will be recognized as Scholar Athletes.

Congratulations to our West Genesee Athletic Teams for also being recognized late last week by the NYSPHSAA and NFHS with the Award of Excellence for exemplary display of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity. #WildcatPride

Budget News: A reminder that the budget vote is on Tuesday, May 21, at the High School Auditorium Lobby from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Click here for more information.

Have a wonderful week!
~Mike

Spring Fever!

It is hard to believe we are already into the month of May. With so many good things happening in our District, the last few months have flown by.

Raptor Update: Over the past few weeks I have been able to stop in and visit all of the schools and check out how the Raptor Visitor Management System is working. I am impressed with how the schools are handling screening visitors before they enter the building. Just a reminder, when you are visiting a school you will need to bring your photo ID in order to get into the building. Click here for additional information about the system.

A Swing-In to Remember: The 51st Swing-In Concert was held this past week at the high school. It was a great opportunity for the WGHS Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Band to join the honored guest, Denis DiBlasio. Click here to read more about this event.

Earlier in the day our elementary music students at East Hill Elementary School were fortunate to hear DiBlasio play with Mr. Dimmel’s high school jazz band. A great experience for students at all levels!

School Budget Hearing: This Wednesday, May 8, is our Annual School Budget Hearing, which includes an opportunity to hear from the Board of Education candidates. It will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the West Genesee High School Library with the Board of Education meeting to follow. All are invited to attend! Click here to review information about the proposed 2019-2020 budget.

Senior Ball: This coming Friday, May 10, is the Senior Ball! The school day will start off with a simulated DWI crash in the West Genesee High School circle followed by the Senior Breakfast; and then the seniors are off to prepare for their ball in the evening.

This is such a special night for our students, and it will continue at the All-Night Party to be held at the high school right after the ball. I want to thank the West Genesee High School PTSA, all of the parent volunteers, law enforcement, and administrators in advance for committing to help keep our students safe and happy.

As we get closer to the end of the school year, and the weather is getting warmer, it is a good time to remind students to stay focused on their schoolwork so they can finish off the year strong. Have a great week!

~Mike