Better Than We Could Ever Imagine

“But no matter the future, I place West Genesee in the snow globe of my heart”, words from Olivia Murphy’s “Evergreen,” as published in the Class of 2021 program for our Sixty-Sixth commencement ceremony.

Our graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 19, 2021, was so much more than a graduation.  It was a celebration of accomplishments, it was a reunion of friends and families, it was a display of talent and gratitude, and it was ours.  A day so memorable did not come without a lot of hard work from our students, our teachers, and our staff. Thank you to everyone who made it happen.

The swift response of our senior advisors, our custodial and building and grounds staff made a large celebration possible after a massive shift in restrictions on Wednesday afternoon, just three days before the big day. 

Congratulations to all of our graduates and to their families who have supported them to this point. We are so very proud of all of you.  May the world be your future, but WGHS always your home. Best of luck in your next steps!

A Different Kind of Graduate

Today, we say goodbye to our retirees, an incredible group of educators who have been dedicated to the West Genesee community throughout their careers. The following are beloved members of our staff. Congratulations to all!

• Mary Bily
• Bill Davern
• Molly Devaney
• Kathryn Lykudis
• Bob Marks
• Andy Perry
• Vicki Smith

Important Information

Diplomas, Books, Course Materials, and Chromebooks

Student diplomas are available to be picked up in the Main Office at the high school on Monday, June 28, 2021. Diplomas and Yearbooks may be picked up and textbooks, course materials, and Chromebooks with their chargers can be returned to the Main Office at the high school Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.throughout the summer.

Summer Reading

“A book is a dream that you hold in your hand” - Neil Gaiman

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping,and the breeze is mild.  It is the perfect time to sit down, relax and enjoy a great book!  Our English Department has published the Summer Reading List for 2021 and our librarian, Mary Gotham, has created a fantastic preview of the selections which you can view by clicking here.  The list is also available from the high school library webpage in a mobile responsive and printable PDF format by clicking here.

Working Papers

This summer, working papers will only be available at the high school on Wednesdays during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. or by appointment by calling the Main Office at 315-487-4601. Students are also welcome to apply for working papers by mailing in the application.  The application can be found here or from the West Genesee High School Student Information webpage by clicking here.

Summer School

The summer school program will be run by the OCM BOCES staff at the West Genesee High School building. Classes will run from July 7- July 22 and July 27- August 11.  More information can be found at the OCM BOCES Summer School website or from the West Genesee High School School Link section by clicking on 'Summer School'.

Get outside, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy one another, and celebrate. We did it!

Have a great summer.

Sincerely,

Tracy Klefbeck,Thomas Vaughan, and Maura White

Some End-of-Year Updates

 On the Eve of Graduation

We are more than excited to celebrate the West Genesee High School 2021 Graduation with our graduates and their families tomorrow at the Center of Progress Building on the New York State Fairgrounds.  It will be a day to remember as we gather with family and friends to share smiles, applause, and WILDCAT PRIDE!

Please note the following for the graduation:

• Our doors will open at 10:45 a.m.
• The graduation ceremony begins at 12:00 p.m.
• Parking is available in the Red Lot of the State Fairgrounds and handicapped parking is available in front of the Center of Progress building.  Parking attendants will be on-site to help direct all of our families. 

(For Information on watching a live stream of the ceremony click here.)

CTE Endorsements and Designations

This year we have 23 students receiving 24 CTE Endorsements upon their graduation, 20 students who have achieved the Seal of Biliteracy and 3 students who have successfully completed our Odyssey Program. Congratulations to all on this outstanding achievement. 

The Senior Celebration

Our seniors were once again showered with incredible gifts and entertainment at the Senior Celebration on Friday, June 11, 2021. From snacks provided by Tully’s and The Wildcat, to performances and prizes sponsored by our very own PTSA, the evening was a great success. It is nights like these when we see and feel what community means and what it can do.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for making that night so special for our graduates. 

Exams Continue

Final exams and Regents exams will continue through next week:

• Monday 6/21- OCC History @ 7:45 a.m. in the Upper Gym
• Tuesday 6/22 - The Living Environment Regents @ 7:45 a.m. in the Upper Gym
• Wednesday 6/23 - Algebra 1 Regents @ 7:45 a.m. in the Upper Gym
• Thursday 6/24 - Earth Science Regents @ 7:45 a.m. in the Upper Gym
• Friday 6/25 - Students do not report

Happy Father’s Day to all of our dads out there!

Have a great weekend,

Tracy Klefbeck,Thomas Vaughan, and Maura White

Some End-of-Year Updates

The Stars Were Shining

It was a beautiful night for a Senior Ball on June 4 on the lower grass stadium.  The gentle breeze and quick rain burst didn’t stop the party. Our Wildcats were dressed to impress and ready to dance. It was a night to remember for all.

The preparations for the day were a valiant group effort, from the mock crash put on by our Camillus Police Department, and Fairmount Fire Department to the transformation of a school field into a grand twinkling venue by our senior class advisors. 

It was a day for celebration and an opportunity to remind our students how to do that safely.

This Friday, June 11, 2021, our seniors will travel through some more West Genny milestones, as they “Chalk the Walk”, sign the WG pawprint, reminisce with their senior video, and visit their elementary schools, parading by the young Wildcats and teachers from their youth.

Chromebook Returns

All student Chromebooks must be returned to the school with their power cords.  Students must bring their Chromebooks with the power supply to their social studies class, where they will be scheduled for the return to the library. Please have your student label their Chromebooks with their names and grades for the turn-in dates below:

12th grade: Thursday, June 10

11th grade: Friday, June 11

9th and 10th grades:Tuesday, June 15

Remote students: Wednesday, June 16: all remote students

Remote Materials Drop- Off

• On Wednesday,June 16, 2021 remote students may return their instructional materials.  The drop-off will include a drive through Chromebook and charger return area and a second area for textbooks and other instructional materials. All areas will be set up on the west side of the building, at the technology office, and atrium entrance.

• The drop off will be available during school hours, 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Mental Health Resources

Our school community prides itself on caring for one another. Resources are available and our very own Mary Gotham, the librarian at the high school, is working hard to make sure that our staff, students, and families know how to find them. She has organized a collection of contacts, coping mechanisms, interventions, and personal strategies for mental health in one location. The Mental Health Resources Website houses hotlines, TEDtalks, and tools for a variety of challenges that affect every age group.  Please check it out. It could help you or someone you love.

West Genesee Mental Health Resources 

Regents Schedule

The Local/Regents Exam Schedule for the last two weeks of June available by clicking here.

With just a few weeks left, our students and teachers are busy wrapping up classes and preparing for exams. We hope that everyone finds some time to enjoy the weather and we look forward to celebrating our graduating seniors very soon!

Sincerely,

Tracy Klefbeck,Thomas Vaughan, and Maura White

The Busiest Time of the Year

The weather has been unbelievable!  This early dose of summer is pulling many of our classes outside.  Students and their teachers are taking every opportunity that they can to learn and work in the fresh air and warm sunshine.

Although there is much to do in preparation for the close of a school year and for some, a commencement, it is so refreshing to see that student energy that arrives in the spring. It is election week at the high school and many of our student leaders are campaigning for the opportunity to represent their classmates as Senate Officers and Student Council Representatives. The big election is today, and we wish them all the best of luck!

Ten of our senior high school athletes signed their Athletic Letters of Intent on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. These Wildcats will be headed out to Division 1 and Division 2 programs to continue on in lacrosse, basketball, and baseball. Click here to read the article listing the students, their sport, and the college they will attend.

The “busy” is just beginning.  Please see the following important dates and information.

Next Week

• Next week school is in session Monday, May 24 through Thursday May 27.

• Schools are closed on Friday, May 28 through Tuesday, June 1, for a five-day Memorial Day weekend.

• On Monday, May 24, 2021 The Senior Awards Night will be held in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m.  A ticket is required for entry, as we must adhere to capacity limits.

• On Monday, May 24 through Thursday, May 27, 2021 the Honors Awards Assemblies will take place each day next week honoring our 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade recipients during the first period. Students receiving certificates will be called down in small groups. Remote students being honored may join us in the upper gymnasium at 7:45 a.m. with their grade level.

• Ninth grade-Monday, May 24, 2021

• Tenth grade-Tuesday, May 25, 2021

• Eleventh grade-Wednesday, May 26, 2021

• Twelfth grade-Thursday, May 27, 2021

Upcoming

Mock Crash/Yearbooks/Senior Ball

• On Friday, June 4, 2021 seniors will have a shortened day in preparation for their Senior Ball. Students should report to their first period class for attendance. BOCES students, remote students, and late arrival students should report to cafeteria 1 for attendance. Following attendance students will get information about the Senior Ball and then move to the front of the building for the Mock Crash, led by Officer Nightingale of the Camillus Police Department. This can be an emotional presentation, and our school counselors will be available for students, if needed. Following the Mock Crash students will be dismissed. Yearbooks will also be available for pick-up at this time. More details regarding the Senior Ball will follow soon! 

Remote Instruction Materials Drop-off

• 
  On Wednesday,June 16, 2021 remote students may return their instructional materials.  The drop-off will include a drive through Chromebook and charger return area and a second area for textbooks and other instructional materials. All areas will be set up on the west side of the building, at the technology office, and atrium entrance.

• The drop off will be available during school hours, 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Regents Exams

• Report cards were mailed out last week with a letter about our upcoming Regents examinations. Although New York State is only offering four Regents exams this year, it is important to know that students are only allowed to take the exemption if they are passing the course in which the exam is offered.  The four exams offered are Earth Science, The Living Environment (Biology), Algebra 1, and English Language Arts. All students wishing to take the exemption for their exam day will need to return the waiver in the letter by May 24. The letter is attached here. 

The Local/Regents Exam Schedule for the last two weeks of June is as follows (click here to view the schedule in a printable PDF format): 

We hope that you are able to enjoy the beautiful weekend ahead.

Sincerely,

Tracy Klefbeck,Thomas Vaughan, and Maura White

Important News to Share

The sunshine is lifting all of our spirits as we prepare for many highly-anticipated high school events. It is a change that we look forward to each year, a change that signifies the end of a journey. Our ninth graders are just weeks away from completing their very first year of high school and our twelfth graders are looking beyond our halls and are preparing for their next adventure.

This season of change in our high school began on April 30, when we celebrated our students’ “Decision Day.” Donning their own decision attire, the school counselors welcomed our seniors to declare their next steps.

Just one week later, on May 7, our seniors were on campus to receive their caps and gowns, more delicious treats from the WGHS PTSA, and to compete in an inaugural field days event. It was a memorable morning of healthy competition. Students created teams and competed for championship status and West Genesee Custom “Medals” in kickball, CanJam, Spikeball, and Cornhole.

The last of the paper College Board Advanced Placement Exams was given today and our spring sports teams are thrilled to be out on the fields again.Things are moving forward.

We do have some unfortunate news to share. Our Executive Principal, Mr. Wayne Ackles, will be out on medical leave for the remainder of the school year.It has been our pleasure to work with Mr. Ackles over the last two years. He led our building with kindness and always focused on what was best for our WGHS students. We wish him well and support him as he focuses on his health. The high school team of principals is working with the district office as we continue to support our students and staff daily. 

We look forward to continuing Mr. Ackles’ work for the remainder of the year and to celebrate with our seniors at their ball and their high school graduation.

Mrs. Tracy Klefbeck, Wildcat Team, tklefbeck@westgenesee.org, 315-487-4673

Mr. Thomas Vaughan, Gold Team,  tvaughan@westgenesee.org, 315-487-4581

Mrs. Maura White, Blue Team, mwhite@westgenesee.org, 315-487-4673

Senior Awards Night

This year our local scholarship recipients, department award winners, and our students completing their CTE strands, the Odyssey Program, and the Seal of Biliteracy will be honored in person at our high school auditorium on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. In accordance with the Onondaga County social gathering limits, honorees and two guests may attend the event (https://covid19.ongov.net/events/). We welcome additional family and friends to follow along on our live-stream broadcast of the event. A link for the livestream will be sent out soon.

Invitations and tickets for our senior honorees were mailed out this morning.  We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of many of our Wildcats.

Honors Awards

We will be also honoring our students who have been on the High Honor Roll for the 2020-2021 academic year and our seniors who earned an unweighted cumulative grade point average of 85 or higher during the week of May 24, 2021. Our ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students will celebrate with their counselors and principals during an in-school event. Honorees will be presented with their certificates in a small student reception at the high school. Although we will miss the opportunity to gather with the parents of our honorees, we are grateful to be able to hand each student their certificate in person. 

Reminder: Annual District Budget Vote and BOE Election is on May 18, 2021

The Annual School District Board of Education Election and Budget Vote will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in the West Genesee High School Auditorium Lobby.

You are eligible to vote on May 18, 2021 if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years or older, and have been a District resident for at least 30 days prior to the vote. No pre-registration is required although personal identification may be requested at the polls. Questions? Call the District Clerk at 315-487-4563. Information regarding the budget previously presented is available by clicking here.

We are Stronger Together!

Mrs. Tracy Klefbeck, Wildcat Team

Mr. Thomas Vaughan, Gold Team

Mrs. Maura White, Blue Team

*The principals will be using hsprincipals@westgenesee.org to send and receive information, so please add that address to your contacts so that future messages do not go to your spam/junk/promotions folders.