Extended School Closure

I hope this message finds everyone doing well!

As we start to make the transition to virtual learning, our teachers and staff have been working to develop remote learning opportunities for our students during this extended school closure. Counselors, social workers, and teachers will be engaging with students through Google Classroom, email, and/or virtual office hours. Contact information for our teachers and professional staff is provided here organized by department. Any questions or concerns relating to online instruction should be directed to the teacher of the course. 

While we know that many of our teachers are already checking in with students, starting on Monday, March 23rd, students will receive lessons/activities in their Google Classroom accounts. We know that families are dealing with numerous challenges, so students should expect only one to two 40 minute lessons/activities each week per class at this time. Teachers will be providing instructional feedback to all students on each assignment. Our primary goal is to maintain our connections with students and to continue developing their secondary academic skills and proficiency. Participation is expected, as teachers will be monitoring student involvement via comments, emails, and Google Classroom activity.  Participation is the key to success! An overview and link to the WG Online Learning Portal can be found here.

We ask that you continue to look for updates in the following ways: 

·         West Genesee School District website

·         WGMS Principal Blog

·        Student and/or parent or guardian emails

·        Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms and @MJMcGrathjr

In addition, we would like to recognize all of the WGCSD staff who have been working tirelessly to organize and deliver meals and technology. Also, our incredible custodial staff who continue to work to keep all of our staff and volunteers safe. Thank you to our District Level PTA/PTO’s for arranging for volunteers and creating our first virtual spirit week. We start that with Pajama Day on Monday!

Our current plan of distance learning is based on a return to school on April 14, 2020. Due to the unforeseen nature of this virus and the caution that we will exercise to protect the West Genesee family, our plans may change. These changes will be guided by both New York State and Onondaga County. Any updates, should we need to make them, will be communicated on our district website, through my blog, Twitter and through email. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Take care and take care of one another.

Continued Success,

Steve Dunham

sdunham@westgenesee.org

@Sdunhamwgms

Energized for the Second Half

Just like that January is in the rearview mirror, the Kansas City Chiefs (from Missouri) won the Super Bowl and Puxatony Phil did not see his shadow so we are optimistically looking forward to an early spring. There is a lot going on as we jump into February and head into the second half of the school year.

Scheduling

Earlier in January we had our 8th Grade Parent Night to start the scheduling process for our 8th graders moving to the High School next year. If anyone is interested in what the presentation entails you can check it out by going to the West Genesee Middle homepage, scroll down to ‘School Links’, click on the ‘Counseling/Students Services’ link and select “8th Grade Parent Night: High School Planning & Scheduling Process” presentation. 8^th Grade students have started meeting individually with their School Counselor to make course selections for next year. Those course selections should be available to view on Schooltool by the end of the month.

6^th and 7^th grade students also have some decisions to make about their schedule for the 2020-2021 school year. All of them should have received a scheduling letter and course selection sheet in the mail in January. Those course selection sheets should be returned to student’s homeroom teacher by Friday, February 7^th. If you have any questions regarding scheduling please give our Guidance Office a call at 315-487-4622.

Information for Parents

This is a pretty good article that outlines How Childhood Has Changed for Tweens: “In some ways, kids are growing up faster today. Parents can no longer shield their children from bad news, particularly if they’re carrying a computer in their pocket. In other ways, they’re growing up slower. As they spend more time communicating online, they’re spending less time together experimenting, taking risks, playing, and dating.” What our kids are experiencing growing up today is so significantly different than what any of us experienced. The more informed we are as parents the better we can help to guide and support our kids.  

Students of the Month

As a building we celebrate those that carry themselves in a way that we can all be proud of. Last week we recognized our ‘Students of the Month’ for January. We continue have students, who through their actions and character, help to create a positive school environment. Choosing ‘Students of the Month’ isn’t about grades and athletic or musical prowess, it’s about demonstrating all of the qualities that we value and celebrate - exemplary work ethic, citizenship, character, compassion, honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, optimism and/or leadership in creating a positive school environment. As a school community we are extremely grateful for students who day in and day out show up, work hard, do their best, and make our school a better place.

This month we recognized 6th graders Eliana Freeman, Lena Kent, David Bosak and Will Madden; 7th graders McKenzie Pomplas, Bella Vallely, Evan Powers and William Schneid ; and 8th graders Camille Bohli, Hannah Kenna, Luke Calkins and Dillon Collier.

6th Grade Students of the Month

7th Grade Students of the Month

7th Grade Student of Month

8th Grade Students of the Month

Important Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, February 12^th - WGMS Science Fair (Public Viewing 6:00 PM)

Friday, February 14^th - Valentine’s Day: No Interaction Time

Monday, February 17^th- Friday, February, 21^st - Winter Recess

Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff. As always, if you have any questions or concerns please give me a call or send me an email. 

Continued Success,

Steve Dunham 
sdunham@westgenesee.org
Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms

Jumping Into 2020

As hard as it is to believe that we have turned the calendar to 2020, it’s just as hard to believe that we are two weeks away from the first semester of the school year coming to an end. The second Winter sports season has started for many of our middle school student-athletes and many students will be completing any half-year courses in their schedule and starting new courses later this month. Please be on the lookout for scheduling information to be mailed home to all parents in early February as we are beginning to plan for the 2020-2021 school year.

Strategic Planning Calls for Commentary 
For many years the West Genesee Central School District has engaged in a reflective and goal-oriented review process which culminates in a Strategic Plan for Educational Improvement. You can view the 2019-20 Strategic Plan here. A critical component in the development of this plan comes from the feedback we receive from all stakeholders: our staff, students, community members, and parents. The Strategic Planning Team would appreciate a few moments of your time to tell them about our areas of strength and where we need to grow and improve. Please click here to complete the brief survey by January 24th. Your feedback and input is greatly appreciated.

Transitions

Some of the most important moments in a student’s journey from Kindergarten through graduation are the transitions that take place when they move from one building to another. At West Genesee we currently have two transition points that take place as our 5^th graders move to middle school and our 8^th graders move to the high school. In both instances, we have spent a lot of time working between the different buildings to ensure highly effective and smooth transitions for students.

8th Grade Parent Night

Last night both middle schools held an 8^th Grade Parent Night to start the process of getting our 8^th graders ready for the high school. There was a standing-room-only turnout of highly engaged and involved parents who had great questions and want to be a partner in the process. The purpose of the evening was to explain the scheduling process, develop and understanding of graduation requirements, and build an awareness of the different course offerings that our High School has. You can access the presentation by going to the West Genesee Middle School homepage, scroll down to ‘School Links’, click on the ‘Counseling/Students Services’ link and select “8^th Grade Parent Night: High School Planning & Scheduling Process” presentation. If you have any questions relative to this process please give our Guidance Office a call at 315-487-4622.

As always, if you have any general questions or concerns please give me call or send me an email. Thank you for your continued support of our students and staff.

Continued Success,

Steve Dunham

sdunham@westgenesee.org

Twitter: @Sdunhamwgms