Superintendent Update

Dear Families,

At the heart of everything we do in West Irondequoit is a three-way partnership: Our dedicated staff, our supportive families, and the district working together to do what’s best for students. That collaboration has been especially evident this fall. Whether it’s the encouragement you provide at home, the steady guidance our staff brings daily or the systems we continue to strengthen as a district, this shared commitment is making our community so special and one that we all cherish.

Across the district, we’re seeing encouraging signs that reflect this shared effort. Student attendance is improving, with chronic absenteeism noticeably lower than it was at this time last year. Even more important: The gaps between different student groups are shrinking, showing that more students across all backgrounds are coming to school consistently and feeling connected, which is a tribute to our staff, families and students. We’re also seeing fewer discipline issues, a shift that speaks to the positive relationships students are forming with each other and the adults who teach, mentor, and care for them each day.

These improvements haven't resulted from a single initiative or change. Instead, they've come from a community-wide effort founded on dedication and care. Families helping their children get to school on time and supporting routines at home are vital. Your active involvement helps create environments where children feel safe, seen, and ready to learn.

As you read this month’s updates, I hope you feel proud of the progress our students are making and recognize how your partnership at home strengthens that foundation every single day. Your active involvement plays a vital role.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it feels like the right time to pause and appreciate the progress, effort, and care happening across our schools each day. This season reminds us that even small actions like showing up, trying again, and supporting one another are worth celebrating because collectively, they matter. I hope the holiday week brings you time to rest, reconnect and enjoy the people who matter most. From all of us at West Irondequoit, we wish you a joyful, restorative Thanksgiving and a wonderful start to the holiday season!

In partnership,

Aaron R. Johnson, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools

Find all Supt. Updates on our website under Superintendent Update.

As we continue developing our next Strategic Plan, your insights and perspectives remain essential. Many of you contributed to the district survey last spring, and that feedback played a key role in shaping our early work. As we enter the next phase, we once again seek your input.

Please take 5–7 minutes to respond to a few open-ended questions linked here. Your reflections on your child’s experience, your hopes for our schools, and the strengths and opportunities you see in our district will directly inform the Strategic Plan that will guide us. Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping us shape a strong future!

District Office is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The office is also closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. We resume regular hours on Monday, Dec. 1.

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Chrissy Miga, recently led a presentation on the NYS Portrait of a Graduate. If you've only heard a little about the state's upcoming changes, including 4 key transformations that will shift diploma requirements, graduation measures and assessments, tap on the video above for more. It's part of a larger initiative called NY Inspires: nysed.gov/grad-measures.

The renovated Library Media Center that is shared by Rogers Middle School and Southlawn elementary (pictured above) is getting closer to completion! It's the final major layer of the R.I.S.E. Capital Project should be done in the next few months! The R.I.S.E. Project started with new playgrounds at Rogers and Iroquois MS and included the bridge connecting IHS to Dake Jr. HS, the new Library Media Center at Iroquois Middle School, safer doors at Dake, and the relocation and renovation of our Department of Environmental Services buildings. To see the full list of projects, click here.

Next: The Promise Project 2027, which includes a renovated Pinegrove Learning Center - in front of Helmer Nature Center, so we can add more Pre-K classes - and artificial turf baseball and softball fields on our main campus, gets under way in 2026! Learn more here.

The Spiritwear Sale to support the West Irondequoit PTSA ends TODAY (Tuesday) at 11:59 PM! Here's the link to order online. Items should be delivered for the holiday. Customize them for any of our schools!

The pool at Irondequoit HS is still closed due to maintenance issues. We are working with outside companies to resolve the issue and apologize for the inconvenience. West Irondequoit Community Education will let us know when it has re-opened.

Did you know the Trees for Trails program at HNC started 49 years ago in 1976?! Yes! Residents have been donating their holiday trees to help fortify trails that long. HNC accepts trees from Dec. 26 until Jan. 17, when High Falls Tree Service and Irondequoit Lawn & Landscape transform them into wood chips used to control trail erosion. Please consider dropping off your used tree when you are done with it. Some guidelines: Drop off whole trees only (no clippings); remove bags, ornaments, wire, etc.; no wreaths, please; no yard waste or debris.

Volunteers are available to unload cars on Jan. 17 ONLY from 10 a.m. to noon (but you can drop your tree off any time after Dec. 26 and before Jan. 17). Note: No trees accepted after noon on Jan. 17. Interested in volunteering for this event? Please email HelmerNatureCenter@gmail.com.

The first weekend of December comes alive in the Irwin Center for the Performing Arts at IHS with a dramatic production from IHS actors. Three performances. Tickets are now available: westironpa.ludus.com/index.php. Hurry. They go fast!

See all West Irondequoit Community Education offerings via its webpage linked below. Registration is open at this link. Remember, classes are open to residents and non-residents, so bring friends! Link: bit.ly/CommEducation_WI

Email: public_info@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: westirondequoit.org
Location: 321 List Avenue, Irondequoit, NY, USA
Phone: 585-342-5500

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