Report Cards Available Online!

Report Cards Available Online
Your child's 2nd marking period report card is now available to view online. Click here to access the viewing instructions. Here is a short video that also explains how to access the report cards online. If you need to update your email or phone number on Schooltool , please click this link.

Distance Learning
Times have certainly changed, haven't they? I am getting used to sitting at my desk at home in front of my computer for hours on end, but I can't say I'm enjoying it! I so miss seeing all of the students in their classrooms and greeting them as they walk in the school every morning.

Hopefully you and your child have been able to access the distance learning portal. I have received a lot of feedback about the activities provided for your children. The feedback has ranged from, "This is awesome! Thank you!" to "This is not enough. When will more learning be provided by the teachers?" to "We are overwhelmed! This is too much!" All of these feeling are normal and understandable. As I indicated in last week's blog, these first two weeks of activities before the break are intended to help ease the transition to online learning. All activities for these two weeks are review and are intended to keep your child engaged and productive. We are also using these two weeks to make sure every family has access to the technology necessary for online instruction, and to ensure that our teachers and families are comfortable with the necessary technology. Instruction (that will include new learning, versus review) will begin after the break, if necessary, and will continue via the distance learning portal as well as Google Classroom. If you need any help with accessing anything, please call the office (315-487-4648) or email me (lcraig@westgenesee.org).

I am sorry to hear that some people have had difficulty accessing the P2 slides. Because these slides are only open to partner schools, they are not accessible to everyone. The only email addresses that are able to access the slides are the parent emails (from Schooltool) that were previously submitted to the Positivity Project. Other email addresses will not work at this time.

If you could do me a favor and show the students this short video, I would appreciate it!


Virtual Spirit Week
It was so much fun seeing everyone's pictures on the East Hill Elementary Facebook Page. I've included just a few below.

Crazy Hair Day

Crazy Hair Day

Goofy Outfit Day

Goofy Outfit Day

Pajama Day

Reading Day 

Reading Day

Reading Day (combined w/Blue & Gold)

Have a great weekend!

- Lisa

Online Learning Now Available!

Online Learning Available!
The West Genesee Elementary Online Learning Portal is now open! You can access it via this link, or you can find it under the "Connect" section located on the bottom left of the West Genesee homepage (www.westgenesee.org). To help ease the transition to online learning, all activities assigned are review or practice activities for the next two weeks. Each week the site will be updated, however you will still be able to access the previous weeks if necessary. If we need to continue with online instruction after the break, new learning will take place, some of which will be provided via this portal and some of which will be assigned via Google Classroom by your child's teachers. If you have any trouble accessing the portal, either contact your child's teacher, email me (lcraig@westgenesee.org), or call the main office (315-487-4648) and leave a message. 

As I indicated in my blog earlier this week, it is our intent with remote learning to minimize potential instructional slide. We do not want to add any pressure to families during this stressful time, rather we want to help families by providing activities that will keep students productive and engaged.

As you can see by the pictures below, some of our WG staff members were eager to start learning at home with their children!

Some staff members also posted pictures of their children utilizing their P2 character strengths on Facebook (used with permission).

The Greco Family showing Curiosity

The Devereauxs showing Appreciation of Beauty

The Kupiecs demonstrate Love of Learning

Speaking of P2 characteristics, next week's character strength focus is Fairness. You can find the slides for your child's grade level on the Online Portal as well as more information about Fairness.

Virtual Spirit Week
The District PTO/PTA group came up with the idea of having a virtual spirit week next week. Click here to access the flyer. Pictures of your children can be emailed to ehpta@westgenesee.org for possible inclusion in the yearbook. Photos will also be shared on the East Hill Facebook page. The spirit days are as follows:

Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Goofy Outfit Day
Wednesday: Crazy Hair Day
Thursday: Reading Day
Friday: Blue and Gold Day


Please tell your children I miss them so much! I am tired, already, of sitting behind my computer for hours on end. I know my situation is pretty good right now compared to others, though, so I try to keep that in perspective (another P2 strength)!

Here is an article I saw on Syracuse.com this morning - 4 Ways to Help Kids Relax as the Coronavirus Upends Everyday Life. Worth a read!

Enjoy the weekend! I will be in touch!

- Lisa

School Closure Updates From East Hill

Greetings from my office (my home office, that is)!

I hope this communication finds you well as you begin to adjust to your new schedule. I wanted to update you on a few things.

First of all, the building is now closed until further notice. My previous communication indicated that the building would be open this week but the decision was made to close the buildings to all non-essential personnel beginning yesterday afternoon. Building principals are now working from home as well. If you need to contact me, you can either email me at lcraig@westgenesee.org or call the building, 315-487-4648 and leave a voicemail. Your voicemail will go directly to my email. There is currently a glitch with the voicemail but I expect it to be worked out soon!

Secondly, I know some of you are anxious to begin home instruction and I see from Facebook posts that many of you already have which is great! I wanted to let you know that you will be receiving another communication from me at some point this Friday (March 20th) that will provide you with information regarding remote learning. We will have a page off of the district homepage that will be updated weekly with suggested activities and learning for our students. This page will provide you with reading and math activities, as well as special area activities (art, physical education, library, and music). We have also included P2 which I believe you will only be able to access if you have a gmail account. The activities for the first two weeks were put together by the instructional coaches and administrators. If it is necessary to continue instruction remotely following our upcoming break, the teachers will be in charge of populating the remote instruction page with new learning.

It is our intent with remote learning to minimize potential instructional slide. We do not want to add any pressure to families during this stressful time, rather we want to help families by providing activities that will keep students productive and engaged. Stay tuned for more information regarding the remote learning opportunities.

Lastly, if you have technological needs, please see the District website (westgenesee.org) and the note from Superintendent Bills.

Again, I can be reached via email or voicemail. Please stay safe and healthy and tell your children that I miss them dearly!!

- Lisa

Updates from East Hill!

Good Afternoon!

By now you have hopefully read today's communication from Mr. Bills, our school superintendent. We are certainly going to miss having students here for the next few weeks! Here are some updates that I hope are helpful:

• We will NOT have school this Friday, March 20th.  
• Our Education Fair is postponed.  I am not yet sure about rescheduling, but will let you know once we are back in regular attendance.
• Our 3rd grade chorus concert is cancelled, and rescheduling remains to be seen.  Stay tuned.
• We will let you know as soon as possible about report card distribution and whether they will be available to you online.
• As of now, we will not be taking the NYS English Language Arts Assessment, but will let you know of any changes.
• We anticipate returning to school on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.  Again, this is subject to change, but we'll keep our fingers crossed!

Here are a few other odds and ends:

• Within the next few days, you will receive information regarding alternative learning experiences for your child while we are not in regular attendance.  Stay tuned while we finalize plans for you!
• If your child was not here today (Monday) and you need to pick up his or her personal belongings, the building will be accessible Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week from 8:30-3:30. Please note that you will still need to bring your ID and buzz in at the front door if you need to retrieve something from your child's locker. You will not need to come for school books or materials as we will make learning accessible online. Please see the District website and note from Superintendent David Bills if you need information about accessing a Chromebook for your child, or call the technology office at 315-487-4677.

I will be in touch as more information becomes available. Stay safe and healthy!

- Lisa

Social Intelligence

Social Intelligence
Social Intelligence is this week's character strength focus. Social intelligence means you are aware of other people's thoughts and feelings; you understand why they do things. Socially intelligent people might be described as insightful, understanding, empathetic, and aware. For more about social intelligence, click here.

Shout-Out!
I'd like to give a shout-out to the third grade team for creating this bulletin board that is currently hanging in the front lobby. Anyone in the building is encouraged to give a shout-out to a student or a staff member. This is a great way to show our appreciation for others!

Half-Day
As a reminder, Wednesday is a half-day of school with an 11:30 dismissal. The door will be open for student pick-up at 11:15. The staff will spend the afternoon involved in a variety of wellness activities.

Education Fair
The Education Fair is just two weeks away! Once students complete their project packet, they can stop in the office to pick up a display board, courtesy of the PTA. Completed display boards can be dropped off on Monday, 3/23 from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, or on Tuesday, 3/24 from 7:30 - 8:30 am. Students will visit the fair during the day and families are invited to come between 6:30 and 7:30 pm.

Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration has begun for the 2020-2021 school year. These students will be the graduating class of 2033! Wow! Registration will begin on December 3, 2019 and will go until March 31, 2020 at the Central Registrar Office located at 300 Sanderson Drive, Camillus, NY 13031. For information about registering your student, go to the Registration Section of the website. Prior to coming in to register, you will need to make an appointment by clicking the appropriate link on the Registration web page or by calling the Central Registrar at (315) 487-4683.

Upcoming Dates
3/9    PTA Meeting, 6:30, Library
3/11  Half-Day, 11:30 Dismissal
3/24  Education Fair, 6:30 p.m.
3/26  Third Grade Chorus Concert, 7:00, East Hill Gym
3/30  NYS ELA Assessment, Grades 3-5, Day One
3/31  NYS ELA Assessment, Grades 3-5, Day Two

Have a great rest of the week!

- Lisa

March Madness

March Happenings
We have a lot going on in the month of March. Please mark your calendars!

March 6th

• Yearbook orders are due. Order forms have been sent home. You can also order online at ybpay.lifetouch.com. The yearbook ID code is 10705620.

March 9th

• The March PTA meeting will be held in the East Hill Library at 6:30.

March 11th

• Half-Day, Superintendent's Conference Day, 11:30 Dismissal
• "Focus on Early Intervention" presentation, West Genesee High School LGI, 6:00 - 8:00.
  

March 14th

• The 5th Grade Chorus sings the National Anthem at the Syracuse Crunch Game, 7:00 p.m.

March 24th

• The 7th Annual Education Fair will be held. Students will visit the Fair with their classmates during the day. Families are invited to attend in the evening from 6:30 - 7:30. Projects can be dropped off after school on Monday, 3/23 from 3:30 to 5:00 or Tuesday morning from 7:30 - 8:30.
  

March 26th

• The 3rd Grade Chorus Concert will be held in the East Hill Gymnasium at 7:00.

March 30th & 31st - The NYS English Language Arts Assessment will be administered to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. You will be receiving a letter home soon about these assessments. Please contact me if you have any questions.

The 100th Day of School! 

Enjoy the rest of the week!

- Lisa