West Genesee School District
December 30, 2025
Dear West Genesee Families,
As we stand on the threshold of a New Year, the turning of the calendar offers us a unique vantage point. It is a moment to pause, reflect on successes since September, and look forward with renewed energy to the opportunities that lie ahead.
The first half of our school year has been very positive. Throughout our hallways and classrooms there has been a vibrant culture of academic achievement, artistic expression, and athletic grit. Whether it was under the stadium lights, on the stage of a concert, or within the quiet focus of a classroom, our students continue to demonstrate what it means to be a Wildcat.
Professional Excellence
At West Genesee, we know that student success is deeply rooted to our staff. Every position in our District shares the goal to support students, their families, and our community. Across approximately 1,000 employees there are many job functions, none less important than another and all part of our combined success.
Recently, seven of our teachers earned recognition and certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This is the highest professional distinction in teaching—a rigorous, multi-year process that requires a profound commitment to student learning and pedagogical mastery. To our seven new National Board Certified Teachers: thank you for your dedication to your craft and for setting a standard of excellence that inspires us all.
Service for Others
Beyond the classroom and the playing fields, the true character of our community has shone through our commitment to service. This holiday season, our schools and student organizations led numerous charitable drives, collecting food, clothing, and other items.
Supporting our neighbors is not just something we do; it is part of who we are. These acts of kindness remind our students that they are part of something larger than themselves and that compassion is a valuable characteristic and one worth growing throughout their lives.
Looking Ahead
As we return from the winter break, let us carry this spirit of "Wildcat Pride" into 2026. Let us continue to support one another, celebrate our collective achievements, and remain focused on providing the best possible environment for our children to grow.
From my family to yours, I wish you a New Year filled with abundant blessings, robust health, and much happiness. Thank you for your continued partnership and for making West Genesee a very special place.
Warmly,
David C. Bills, Superintendent of Schools
As we enter the new year, many people begin to think about new goals and also look back fondly on traditions. In school, we often think about traditional instruction as ‘the way we used to learn things’. There are many benefits to traditional instruction – lecture-based learning, algorithms or formulas, etc. are all necessary in certain contexts. But schools have also made significant shifts in instructional practices over the last several years.
If we walked into a hospital today, we would not want a surgeon using techniques from 1990. We would want them using the latest medical research. In our district, we approach teaching the same way. We don't just teach based on tradition; and West Genesee has spent a lot of time and energy working on newer instructional practices related to the Science of Reading and the Science of Learning.
For decades, education focused heavily on procedural knowledge—getting the right answer. While accuracy is still very important, research tells us that procedural knowledge without conceptual understanding is fragile. It fades quickly after a test or the learning sequence is over.
Today, our curriculum is designed to help students understand the "why" behind the "how." We want students to be able to solve problems they have never seen before, not just repeat solutions they have memorized.
What This Looks Like in the Classroom
Productive Struggle: Our teachers intentionally give students problems that they cannot solve immediately. Neuroscience shows that the brain grows most rapidly when it is challenged, not when it gets the answer right instantly. If your child is "stuck," that is often where the real learning is happening.
Talk Over Text: Students are engaged in more "academic discourse"—students talk to each other and collaborate to solve problems. Explaining their thinking to a peer locks information into long-term memory more effectively than listening to a lecture.
Metacognition: Teachers are asking students to think about how they think. You might hear teachers ask, "What strategy did you use?" rather than just "What is the answer?"
Structured Play: Research for our youngest learners emphasizes the importance of play and not rote learning. Students learn best through interactions, and the discourse mentioned above happens often through structured play in the early grades.
This approach takes patience and also fosters resilience in students as they develop. It can sometimes feel slower than the endless worksheets of the past. However, the result is a student who is not just a test-taker, but a critical thinker prepared for a complex world. As New York State begins to work towards new graduation measures, these skills are critical to a student’s future success.
Try asking this at dinner once school starts back up to spark a conversation about how your child thinks: What was the most confusing thing you encountered in school today, and what was the first step you took to figure it out?
As you engage in discussions around New Year’s and traditions and new resolutions, know our staff are continuously engaging in discussions around traditional and newer styles of learning in our classrooms and making decisions about what will best support students’ learning.
Happy 2026!
WGIS Students Enjoy Sledding while Learning STEM Principles
WGIS teachers Gwen Walker and Alyssa Hammerschmidt took their math classes outside for a STEM sledding activity.
The students measured out a sledding run, and then timed each other sledding down the run. We will use the data they collected in our upcoming math unit to explore ratios and unit rates, convert measurement units, and calculate average speeds.
They will also use the data in their upcoming physics unit in science class to talk about forces, friction, acceleration, and momentum. It was basically a fun way for us to gather some real world data to work with in class.
Tickets for the WGHS Musical, Something Rotten!, are now on Sale!!
Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming WGHS Musical, Something Rotten! on February 5 and 6 at 7 pm, and February 7 at 1 pm.
They are $15 and can be purchased at https://wgfinearts.ludus.com/ or by scanning the QR code on the flyer/image.
Emergency Closing Information is Important
Announcements about school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissal will be posted on the News Headlines section of the District website home page. They will also be broadcast on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the following stations which you can access by clicking here.
Also, ParentSquare communications software allows us to send emails, texts, and make phone calls. (Phone calls will be used for emergency situations only.)
Parent/Guardians and staff will NOT need to sign-up to receive information from schools that you are registered for in Schooltool. (You will have the option to opt-out if you choose not to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls. To receive texts, you also have to opt-in per the instructions in the Tips article below. )
Join the West Genesee Culture Celebration on March 7, 2026!
The Annual Culture Celebration will be held at West Genesee High School on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 12:00-3:00 p.m in the upper gymnasium. The annual West Genesee Culture Celebration is an exciting opportunity to showcase the rich diversity of the West Genesee Central School District and the broader Camillus community.
This special event highlights the many cultures that make up our community through performances and table displays by students, families, and community groups.
Last year’s event featured an array of contributions, including: Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, Tearney's Martial Arts, Folk and Irish Dancers, Social Justice Coalition, and displays on South Korean, Palestinian, and Bulgarian heritage.
We want your culture to be part of this year’s celebration! Whether through a performance or a table display sharing your traditions, history, and heritage, we encourage as many families and groups as possible to participate.
For more information or to sign up, contact: Paige Gardner, West Genesee High School Admin Intern, pgardner@westgenesee.org, 315-487-4673.
Let’s make this celebration a true reflection of our multicultural community and foster a culture of inclusion in our schools. We look forward to celebrating with you!
We are Hiring: Teaching Assistants
WGCSD is Looking to Hire Transportation Staff
West Genesee CSD is looking to hire regular bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and substitute bus attendants.
Inquiries about these positions can be sent to Debbie Price at dprice@westgenesee.org.
- December 22, 2025-January 2, 2026 No School-Holiday Recess
- January 5, 2026 Students/Staff Return to School
- January 7, 2026 Board of Education Policies and Bylaws Committee-West Genesee High School Library-4:30 p.m.
- January 7, 2026 Public Hearing-Updates to District Safety Plan-West Genesee High School Library--6:00 p.m.
- January 7, 2026 Board of Education Meeting-West Genesee High School Library-6:00 p.m.