Supporting Others

 

Super Bowl Food Drive

Our PTA is sponsoring a food drive to help West Genesee families in need over the February break. Here's how to play: bring your food donation to school and add it to the bin of the team you want to win Super Bowl LV. Food bins will be available at each entrance from January 27th through February 5th. If you need support during this time, please contact me (Mrs. Craig), or Mrs. Rose, our school counselor, or you can fill out this form. Each grade level is asked to bring in a certain type of food. See the flyer pictured below for details. Thank you in advance for your support.

Positivity Project

This week we are learning about the Other People Matter (OPM) element of supporting others when they struggle. According to the Positivity Project, supporting other people when they struggle is a critical piece of being human. There are many different approaches to helping people who are struggling. These can include: listening while they describe an event and their feelings about it, taking action to help people in need, or simply just being there and sitting together in silence. Talking through a problem is a common way to help a person who is going through a tough time. Please talk with your children this week about how they can help others who may be struggling.

Reminders

As we approach the midway point in the school year, I thought it might be a good idea revisit a few things:

• Please make sure your child brings in their completed screening slip daily
• Please keep your child home if they have any symptoms of illness
• Please make sure your child has a clean mask to wear each day
• Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather

Upcoming Dates - Mark your calendars!

• 1/27 - Super Bowl Food Drive begins
• 2/3 - Workshop Day, Half-Day for students
• 2/3 - Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
• 2/5 - Super Bowl Food Drive ends
• 2/5 - Valentines and treats are due to school
• 2/12 - Valentine's Day Parties
• 2/15 - 2/19 - February Break

Have a great week!

- Lisa

 

Perseverance

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Perseverance is this week's character strength focus. Perseverance means you complete what you start despite obstacles; you never give up. This strength, coupled with last week's focus of hope and optimism, seems to be particularly important in our current circumstances. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." Dr. King demonstrated perseverance through his endurance as a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King persisted in doing what he knew was right, despite the many hardships that he and his family endured. He sums up this strength in his conclusion of this speech at Spelman College, by stating, "If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving." (Information provided by the Positivity Project.) For more information on perseverance, click here.

Students in Miss Spencer's and Mrs. Reilly's class read books about Dr. King and wrote their own "I Have a Dream" poems. Aiden read his on the announcements last Friday. Here is his poem:

I Have A Dream

I have a dream that one day I will live in a world where people will not be judged by their skin color.

I have a dream that one day people will respect the Earth and stop littering.

I have a dream that one day we will stop hunting and leave nature alone.

I have a dream today!

The picture below is from Mrs. Klablen's classroom where they also learned about Dr. King.

COVID Testing

Thank you to everyone that signed up for testing last Wednesday. We tested 77 students and 21 staff members. All negative (which is positive news)!

Save the Date!

Our PTA is planning to hold a Chipotle Night fundraiser on February 10th from 4:00 - 8:00. A portion of the earnings will support our PTA and school. You will also be able to place orders online with the app. Stay tuned for more information!

How are those desks looking?

Last Monday was National Clean Off Your Desk Day. Did you take the time to clean off your desk? I know that at least a few students did! Pictured below are Alex and Matthew's before and after photos. They look great!

Valentine's Day

Students planning to distribute valentines should bring them in to school by Friday, February 5th. The valentines should not have any treats (lollipops, candy, etc.) attached to them. Any treats for class parties must also be brought in by the 5th. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

Upcoming Dates

1/19  Talk with the Superintendent, 7:00 p.m., Register Here

2/3    Half-Day, Superintendent's Conference Day, 11:15 Bus Dismissal

2/5    Valentine's cards and treats deadline

Have a great rest of the week!

- Lisa

  

East Hill Update

PTA Meeting this Wednesday

East Hill's January PTA meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 13th 6:30 via Zoom. Please RSVP to the East Hill PTA at wgehpta@westgenesee.org. You will be emailed the link for the Zoom and attachments just prior to the meeting. Hope to see you there!

COVID Testing 

Once again the slots filled quickly for the voluntary COVID-19 testing this Wednesday. Here is a short video from CNY Central showing what the testing process looks and feels like. It was filmed several weeks ago. If you have any questions regarding the testing, don't hesitate to contact me (lcraig@westgenesee.org) or call the main office (315-487-4648).

Talk with the Superintendent

Please join the West Genesee PTA/PTO District Council for a Talk with the Superintendent on January 19th starting at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. You will need to register in advance.

Prudence

Our character strength focus this week is prudence. Prudence means you plan for the future and achieve your goals by making careful everyday choices. It's the ability to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason. For more information on prudence, click here.

Remote Students
Did you know that today is National Clean Off Your Desk Day? I didn't either! Apparently it's always the second Monday in January. What does your work space look like? Is it tidy, clean and clear, or is it cluttered and disorganized? Take a few minutes to get organized and send me a picture of your nice, clean workspace and I might post it in next week's blog! Better yet, send me the before and after photos!

Workspace Before Cleaning

Workspace After Cleaning

Important Dates

Please remember that there is no school next Monday, January 18th, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and there is a half day on Wednesday, February 3rd for a Superintendent's Conference Day. Dismissal on 2/3 will be at 11:15 for buses, with parent pickup immediately following.

Have a great week!

- Lisa

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

I hope you enjoyed the holiday break with your families! I'm looking forward to 2021, that's for sure. I'm hopeful and optimistic that it will be a great year! Optimism is the character strength focus for this week. Optimism means you expect the best from the future and work to achieve it. For more about optimism from the Positivity Project, click here. 

School Resumes Tomorrow!

I'm looking forward to seeing the students and staff tomorrow. Please remind your children to come to school with their Chromebook, charger, and any other instructional materials that were sent home in December. Here are a few other important reminders:

• Have your child bring in their signed, completed purple slip daily
• Notify the school if your child is sick, has tested postive for COVID, or is in quarantine
• Keep your child home if they have any symptoms of illness
  

Kindergarten Registration

Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 school year opened virtually on December 1, 2020 and will go until March 31, 2021. This will allow our families to register their children from the comfort of their home or office. Please click here to start the Virtual Registration process. This will schedule a telemeeting with you.

Talk with the Superintendent

Please join the West Genesee PTA/PTO District Council for a Talk with the Superintendent on January 19th starting at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. You will need to register in advance.

Have a great week!

 

Going Remote!

 

Going Remote!

I'm sad that today will be the last day of in-person school until January 4th. I will certainly miss seeing everyone! As I remind the students and my own children, however, it's temporary! If you have not already, you will be receiving information from your child's teacher with your child's schedule and expectations for learning while we are remote. Students will be coming home with Chromebooks and chargers as well as instructional supplies. It will be important that students take good care of these materials and return them when we resume in-person learning. 

If your child is not in school today, you can pick up their materials between 9:00 and 3:00 on 12/17 and/or 12/18. If you need assistance with your Chromebook, click here. Daily attendance will be taken and students who receive special education services will continue to receive these services at their scheduled time. ALL families can order free student meals for delivery through our Food Service Program. Information about ordering and delivery can be found here.

Kindergarteners practicing Zoom

Self-Control

With the holidays coming for many of us, self-control is the perfect strength on which to focus! Self-control means you have the ability to control your emotions and behaviors. You think before you act. I will try to remember this before going for that next cookie! For more information on self-control, click here. 

Community Giving

Thank you to those of you that have so generously purchased a gift or two for one of our East Hill families. Today is the last day to make a purchase. You can visit the online wish lists at either Amazon or Walmart and have them shipped directly to a PTA member's house. Thank you so much!

Remote Students

Remote students should plan to pick up their next set of materials on Tuesday, 1/5, from 3:00 - 4:00. These materials should get your child through the end of March. 

To those of you celebrating a holiday over the next two weeks, Happy Holidays! I hope everyone is able to enjoy the end of 2020 with your families. Please stay safe and healthy. Let's hope for a return to normal next year!! I look forward to seeing your children again on January 4th! Here are a few pictures from around school today.

See you next year!

- Lisa

Thank you!

COVID Testing

Thank you to everyone that volunteered to be tested last Friday. I know many people were unable to sign up because the spots were all taken so quickly, but that is good news! Sixty (60) students and twenty-five (25) staff members were tested and everyone was negative! In this case, negative is positive news!!

Community Giving

Thank you also to those of you that purchased a gift or two for this year's Community Giving campaign. We are going to be able to make the holidays brighter for seven East Hill families. It's not too late to purchase a gift! You can order from the online wish lists at either Amazon or Walmart. Please select your gift (gift wrapping is optional) and have it sent to Amy Vergamini, c/o EH Community Giving, 212 Starksboro Drive, Camillus, 13031. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Strategic Planning: Calls for Commentary

Every year the District's Strategic Planning Team comes together to review progress make toward improvement and make recommendations for continued growth. One of the key pieces is feedback from our community, staff, and students. Please take a few minutes to complete this year's survey. Let us know about our areas of strength and our opportunities for growth. Thank you!

Rug Remnants

As many of you are aware, we are currently using the library as well as the cafeteria for classrooms, as well as a couple of other rooms that previously were not a classroom. If anyone happens to have any carpet squares or small rug remnants you'd be willing to donate, it would be appreciated! We could use them for wet boots in the coming months. 

Report Cards

This is just another reminder that we will not be mailing hard copies of report cards home. Report cards will be available to view via the Parent Portal on Schooltool this Saturday at noon. 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 a hard copy of your child's report card mailed to your home, please contact Mrs. Farley at efarley@westgenesee.org, or call the school office at (315) 487-4648.

Positivity Project

This week's focus is learning about how our words and actions affect others. This element means that everything we do, say, text, tweet, snap, or post can positively or negatively impact other people. Our actions can have ripple effects long after we make them. Please talk with your children about what they are learning this week!

Spirit Week - Mark your calendars! 

Thursday, 12/17 - Accessorize! Wear festive socks, scarves, etc.

Friday, 12/18 - Festive Sweater Day

Monday, 12/21 - Holiday Hat Day

Tuesday, 12/22 - Wear your Red and Green

Wednesday, 12/23 - Pajama Day

Enjoy the rest of the week!

- Lisa

Happy December!

 

Happy December!

I hope you all had a restful Thanksgiving break with your families. Thank you to everyone that donated an item or money toward the Thanksgiving meals. We were able to provide meals to nine East Hill families. Speaking of donating, the PTA is again sponsoring our Community Giving Program this year. We will be helping to purchase gifts for seven local families. A flyer went home Monday with the specifics. Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity! 

Kindness

Speaking of kindness, that is this week's character strength focus. Individuals with this strength might be described as caring, thoughtful, considerate, selfless, compassionate, and generous. I am fortunate to work with such a kind and caring staff and community! For more information on kindness, click here. 

COVID Testing

Thank you to everyone that signed up to have your child tested this Friday. The available slots at East Hill filled up very quickly. If you agreed to testing, your child will be tested on Friday morning. I will be present at the testing along with Mrs. Condon and Mrs. Farley. Here is a short video from CNY Central showing what the testing process looks and feels like. If you have any questions regarding the testing, don't hesitate to contact me (lcraig@westgenesee.org) or call the main office (315-487-4648).

Remote Student Supply Pickup

The next supply pickup for all K-4 students has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 5th from 3:00 - 4:00. Please contact the office if you need to arrange for an alternate time. Thank you.     

Enjoy the rest of the week!

- Lisa