Superintendent Update

Dear Families,

There's something truly magical about fall in our community. The brilliant colors of changing leaves, the crisp breeze in the air, and the joyful energy of families and children biking, walking, and enjoying the season together. It all paints a beautiful picture of connection and warmth. These everyday moments reflect the strong bonds we share and the natural beauty that surrounds us. Fall invites us to slow down, take it all in, and celebrate the vibrant spirit that fills our schools and brings our community to life.

In this issue, I would like to bring to your attention an important article regarding the increasing use of e-bikes, scooters, and golf carts on our campuses (see more below). As these motorized vehicles become more common, it's crucial that we all understand the specific laws and district policies that govern their use, such as speed limits, designated areas, and safety regulations. Whether your child rides or walks, this knowledge helps us keep everyone safe and ensures our shared spaces remain respectful and secure for all.

We're also making exciting progress in our strategic planning work with the ILO Group. We are currently reviewing last year's survey responses and district data, and we're preparing for Focus Groups in the coming weeks. This journey will lead us to a Community Design Day in March, a pivotal event where we'll come together to shape the future of our district. Your input and ideas are crucial in this process. If you're interested in contributing to this vital work, we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with my office directly via email.

Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks for the incredible partnership we share. It has been uplifting to see so many of you at Open Houses, engaging in conversations, asking thoughtful questions, and showing your support for your child. Your presence and involvement speak volumes about the care and commitment you bring to our school community. Whether you're volunteering in classrooms, attending events, or simply encouraging your child each day, your efforts make a lasting impact. The success of our students is not just a reflection of what happens inside the classroom, it's a testament to the powerful collaboration between families, educators, and the wider community. Together, we create an environment where children feel supported, inspired, and ready to thrive.

Thank you for being such an essential part of our shared mission to Welcome, Nurture, and Inspire students and staff to their highest potential. We appreciate everything you do for our school community.

In partnership,

Aaron R. Johnson, Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools

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

Reminders regarding the law and district policies about motorized vehicles on campus:

• ATVs, E-bikes and E-Scooters should not be operated on school grounds; they must be "walked" on campus and parked in a designated area.
• By law, golf carts or low-speed vehicles must be registered, driven by licensed drivers and follow all traffic laws just like any other vehicle on the road. They also must have brake and signal lights.
• Golf carts are not to be driven on any pedestrian pathways, such as sidewalks.

Tap on the PDF below for more information provided to us by Irondequoit Police. Questions? Contact our Public Information Office at (585) 336-3067. Thanks for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all.

We’re excited to share that stop-arm cameras will soon be installed on school buses carrying our students thanks to a partnership between BusPatrol, Monroe County, First Student and our community. This initiative is made possible through the coordination of our Business Office, Transportation Department and the strong support of our Board of Education, as well as the active involvement of our parents/guardians, students, and staff.

The cameras are designed to detect and record vehicles that illegally pass stopped buses when the stop-arm is extended and red lights are flashing, a dangerous and unfortunately too common occurrence. This program will not only help hold drivers accountable but also significantly improve safety for students as they board and exit the bus.

Why it matters:

• 🚸 Protects students from reckless driving near bus stops
• 📸 Captures violations automatically, reducing reliance on eyewitness reports
• 💰 No cost to the district or taxpayers (funded via fines issued to violators)
• 📉 Proven to reduce repeat offenses and improve driver behavior

Camera installation is scheduled for later this fall and Monroe County and our district will share proactive information to ensure families and staff are well-informed. To learn more now, visit the Monroe County website. Together, we’re united in our commitment to keep our students safe—every ride, every day. The installation of stop-arm cameras is another step towards achieving this shared goal.

Please remind your children that using a crosswalk is crucial for their safety walking to and from school. Crosswalks significantly reduce accidents because drivers are more likely to expect and see pedestrians. The Irondequoit Police Department provides Crossing Guards at strategic locations throughout our district to ensure visibility to motorists. Thank you!

The state-mandated Go Home Early safety drill is next Thursday, Oct. 9 - the start of a four-day weekend. All students will be released 10 minutes earlier than usual. If you pick up your children at school, please arrive 10 minutes early. Expect students who ride buses to arrive 10 minutes early. The K-6 Extension Childcare Program will open early and remain open until 6 PM. Crossing guard schedules also will accommodate. All after-school activities should happen, as planned.

NOTE: There is also no school on Friday, Oct. 10 (Supt. Conference Day) and Monday, Oct. 13 (Indigenous People’s Day).

NYS Public Health Law requires schools to distribute influenza educational information to our school community. Please click here to reach our Health Information page and to read a document specifically on flu, click here. There are many other resources on our website.

• Our District Wellness Committee designed an "October Challenge." Tap on the image above (you can download the PDF below to print it) and play along!
• Our District Substance Abuse & Prevention Counselor, Nicole Corcimiglia, has designed a calendar with daily tips, activities and thoughts to help us be better. You can see it below. We'll share tips each Monday this month on our social media. Learn more: westirondequoit.org/district/wellness

There is a new face at Rogers Middle School and Southlawn elementary and her name is Mary Rivera, a Community Schools Coordinator who arrived through a unique partnership with the Center for Youth in Rochester. Her focus: Building bridges between school, home and the wider community. “Whether it’s connecting families to local resources like food pantries and clothing closets or simply being someone to talk to, I am here to support students, families, staff and administration in any way I can,” said Ms. Rivera, who previously taught in the Rochester City School District. “I want to be a helpful and approachable presence in our schools.”

She has been actively engaged with all stakeholders, laying the groundwork for a collaborative and inclusive approach to this important work. Since starting in September, Ms. Rivera has met biweekly with a leadership team composed of partners from the Center for Youth and building/district administrators. Her foundational work began with a family survey, which runs through October for Rogers families (look for the Southlawn survey soon), aimed at gathering insights directly from the community.

READ MORE by clicking the PDF below.

The entire family can have fun on Saturday, Oct. 4th at Helmer Nature Center’s annual Fall Harvest Festival. A $20 pass is good for everything – including a pony ride, all games and crafts! Don’t miss the tractor rides and an inflatable obstacle course! Your support helps our district’s “outdoor classroom” programming year-round! To see HNC’s events schedule, visit them on Facebook: facebook.com/HelmerNatureCenter or their webpage: bit.ly/HelmerNatureCtr.

Other October events at HNC:

• Oct. 7 – Full Moon Hike, 7 PM
• Oct. 16 Owl Prowl, 6:30 PM

The community is invited to an Open House at our renovated Department of Environmental Services facility at 330 Pattonwood Drive on Monday, Oct. 6 from 4-6 p.m. We are joined by Campus Construction and CPL in welcoming residents to see the building that will be used by our maintenance workers, mechanics and grounds crew. Hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments will be served.

The renovation was part of the $19 million R.I.S.E. Capital Project, which had no tax impact on the community. It was passed by community voters in 2023. The project featured several layers, including the new bridge connecting Irondequoit HS to Dake Jr. HS, new library media centers at Iroquois and Rogers and new middle school playgrounds. Our D.O.E.S. facility is being relocated from the current site at 720 Washington Ave. The new location, formerly Lakeview Elementary School, will triple the space for vehicle maintenance, repairs and storage needs. It also will enable our staff, who are crucial to maintaining our buildings and grounds, to be housed together in one building rather than throughout the district. See all about the R.I.S.E. Project by clicking this link.

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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