Superintendent Update

Dear Families,

We are thrilled to share exciting updates about the R.I.S.E. Capital Improvement Project (Reimagine-Inspire-Secure-Educate)! Our 4-12 buildings are undergoing amazing transformations, and we couldn't be more grateful for your patience and flexibility during construction. We're happy to report that everything is right on schedule, and you can always check our website for the latest updates and videos, too. Despite a few unexpected bumps, the incredible support from Campus Construction and CPL Architects and Engineers has been crucial in maintaining the quality of our learning environments during renovations. It's truly inspiring to see these changes unfold!

A special shoutout goes to our dedicated Department of Environmental Services crew for its hard work over the winter. Even with nearly 90 inches of snow, our team persevered to ensure buildings were safe and accessible all winter. We are thankful for their tireless efforts.

March is Music in Our Schools Month, and our amazing staff has been making it unforgettable for our students and families! The Music and Performing Arts teams have tackled challenging content to deliver fantastic shows and musicals. Their dedication creating an inclusive and accessible program for all children is something we all cherish. And our community support has been incredible! Last week's IHS musical was a hit (video highlights), and this weekend's production at Rogers Middle School ("Finding Nemo Kids") is sold out. Next Friday and Saturday, it's Iroquois Middle School's turn (The Aristocats Kids - buy tickets here)! Let's celebrate the hard work and passion of our Nationally Recognized NAMM "Best Communities for Music Education!"

Our Art students are also shining brightly, thanks to the guidance of our wonderful staff (see highlights below). They've been featured in Along magazine, the Artists Cave K-12 art show (ended Thursday), and the annual "Through the Student Lens" photography exhibit (lasts through April 13). Congratulations to everyone who participated! And good luck next weekend to our IHS and Dake Odyssey of the Mind teams headed to the state competition in Syracuse (read more)!

This month is National Women's Month so let's take a moment to honor the incredible women in our district who inspire us every day. From our dedicated teachers and administrators to our hardworking support staff and passionate volunteers, their contributions are invaluable. They lead with strength, compassion, and dedication, making a profound impact on our students and community.

In partnership,

Aaron R. Johnson, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools

P.S. You can find all of my updates on our website under Superintendent Update.

All schools will dismiss early on Friday, April 11 for Parent/Guardian-Teachers Conferences. Dismissal schedule:

North End
11:30 AM – Colebrook, Listwood, Seneca, Iroquois

South End
12:10 PM - Briarwood, Brookview, Southlawn, Rogers

Grades 7-12
10:45 AM - Dake Jr. HS/IHS

Note: No transportation available to EMCC, multi-OCC and New Visions for Grades 7-12.

Over the past several months, our district has come together in a heartfelt effort to refine the Core Commitments tied to our Mission Statement. This was driven by our genuine desire to ensure that our guiding principles reflect the values and aspirations of our evolving community. Our updated Core Commitments highlight the importance of academic excellence, social and emotional well-being, creativity and global citizenship. They embody our dedication to creating a supportive and nurturing environment where every student can thrive. By embracing these principles, we aim to inspire our students to reach their full potential and become compassionate, engaged citizens who are ready to make a positive impact on the world.

We are particularly proud of our commitment to fostering cultural competence and global citizenship. In today's interconnected world, it is essential for our students to develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we continue to nurture, inspire, and achieve together!

Above: Work on the second-story walkway connecting IHS to Dake started last fall and is scheduled to be completed in the next few months!

Passed alongside the district budget in 2023, the R.I.S.E. Capital Project endured some initial approval delays at the state level, but it’s humming now. Middle school playgrounds were completed last year at Iroquois and Rogers and on any given day in March and April there may be simultaneous work being done at IHS, Dake, Iroquois and 330 Pattonwood Drive.

Pattonwood is the future home of our Department of Environmental Services building (D.O.E.S.). Last week, a handful of IHS students in Mr. Schultz’s Advanced Building and Trades class visited the site of what was once “Lakeview Elementary” to see and learn more (WATCH VIDEO). The 14,000-square foot building built in 1954 is undergoing a major renovation, including work on HVAC, electrical, plumbing, paving and drainage. Students learned more about the scope of the project and heard firsthand what on-site duties are for leaders from Campus Construction and sub-contractors, including Billitier Electric and DiPasquale Construction. Mr. Gerald Dee, a 1981 IHS graduate and representative from Carpenter’s Local 276, also spoke passionately about the benefits of a carpentry career. Other ongoing R.I.S.E. work includes door replacements at Dake Jr. HS to enhance safety, construction of the second-story walkway (pictured above) connecting IHS and Dake and major renovations to the Iroquois Middle School library (WATCH VIDEO). Similar work on the Rogers library is expected to start later this spring.

For updates, see our Capital Project page: bit.ly/RISE_Project

Our Board of Education will have two seats available in this year’s election, which runs alongside our annual Budget Vote on Tuesday, May 20 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the St. Paul Fire Blvd. Dept. For key dates, go to our District Vote page. To learn more about how to become a Board candidate, including qualifications and expectations, click this link. Petitions are due April 21st. To see a video and learn more about Monroe County-wide new electronic voting machines, click here.

Spring and Summer Registration opens Monday, March 31st! Classes are open to residents and non-residents. Link: bit.ly/CommEducation_WI. Classes include:

• Creative Youth Camps
• Financial Classes
• Lifeguard Certification
• Pilates
• Pottery
• Summer Youth Sport Camps
• Swim Lessons
• AND MORE!!

Note: Swim Lessons have a separate registration date (check website for more information).

Congratulations to five IHS students, one Dake Jr. HS student and seven Class of 2024 IHS graduates who are now published artists! Their work was featured in the latest edition of Along magazine, which is distributed in the U.S. and China, and honored at a recent Board of Education meeting!

SEE THE ARTWORK HERE

Along, which is 10 years old, usually highlights professional artists, but in March of 2024 its marketing director, Lucy Luo, saw our K-12 Student Art Show at the Artist’s Cave, 4639 Culver Road. She was so impressed by the quality and diversity of work that she approached our district’s K-12 Art Coordinator, Sue Jacobs, who served as editor-in-chief of this edition of Along! Ms. Luo had previously highlighted artwork by Chinese students, but not American students. This shows a great collaboration between students, teachers and our connections to the greater community. It’s also the product of our terrific art teachers across our district and students!

We are so proud of our student accomplishments and are honored to have their outstanding work shared with an international audience! Some images from the 45-page magazine are in this online gallery. There are more in the book, which is available for purchase. To buy a copy ($10), please email Ms. Luo at alongmagazine@gmail.com.

The artists are:

CURRENT STUDENTS

Melinda Cleckner (junior)

Kayden Coddington (senior)

Gianna Jackson (senior)

Violet Sheremeta (Grade 7)

Sam Solomou (senior)

Grace Taberski (senior)

CLASS OF 2024

Julia Ahlquist

Beatrix Freeman

Rorie Gilbert

Lola Koscielski

Kaliyah Paige

Meghan Roussie

Diana Snitar

Our social media accounts are where we celebrate students and staff, take you inside classrooms and highlight our music, performing arts, athletic teams, Capital Project progress and more!

FACEBOOK

• District: facebook.com/WestIrondequoitCSD

INSTAGRAM

• District: instagram.com/west.irondequoit.csd/
• Athletics: instagram.com/irondequoit_athletics/

X (formerly Twitter)

• District: x.com/WestIrondequoit
• Athletics: x.com/WIEagles

Email: public_info@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: westirondequoit.org
Location: 321 List Avenue, Irondequoit, NY, USA
Phone: 585-342-5500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestIrondequoitCSD
X/Twitter: @WestIrondequoit