Superintendent Update

Dear Families,

As we head into the Winter Recess, I want to celebrate all the amazing things happening in our schools. Our students and staff have been working so hard, and it's been incredible to see their talents shine in so many ways. From outstanding academic achievements to incredible musical performances and thrilling athletic victories, there is so much to be proud of! If you haven't already, be sure to follow our social media pages to keep up with all the exciting news.

We're also making great progress on the RISE Capital Improvement Project, and I'm happy to share that we're right on schedule! This wouldn't be possible without the understanding and support of our students, staff, and families. Your patience and flexibility as we work through the occasional dust, noise, and minor disruptions are greatly appreciated. As the weather begins to warm up, you'll start to see exciting changes—especially with the new second-story walkway connecting Dake and IHS, which will become more visible in the coming weeks.

I also want to address some crucial guidance issued to us from the NYS Education Department (NYSED). The first is on 'Safeguarding the Rights of NYS Immigrant Students' (see PDF attached below). The rights of students have been a key focus of discussion and planning among district administration and staff. The NYSED guidance outlines protections for students regarding ICE or law enforcement. Secondly, here is a link regarding laws that protect equity for all students.

It is essential that we all remain informed and prepared to uphold these protections, as they are vital for the safety and well-being of our students. Your understanding and adherence to these guidelines are crucial for our community's safety.

I hope this break gives everyone a chance to relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones. Thank you for being part of our wonderful Irondequoit Eagles community—I'm grateful for all of you! We can't wait to see everyone back soon, ready to continue our journey of learning and growth!

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.

A review of our Elementary Organizational Structure done by consultants, including a survey of our K-3 staff that saw 90 percent engagement, has resulted in our decision to bolster our K-3 administrative team. The current structure, with only one Principal serving two school buildings, is no longer sufficient. Over the next few years, we expect to add three K-3 Assistant Principals. We are planning for that to start next fall at Listwood/Southlawn.

This will boost oversight of the instructional program and enhance safety, among other benefits. It will ensure there is an administrator in every K-3 school at all times. The review also recommends that we assess the current assignment of all K-3 mental health support staff and remove as many traveling providers as possible. Finally, by the fall of 2027 at least one certified administrator – possibly the Director of Data Assessment and Intervention or the Director of STEAM – will be shifting their office to the Pinegrove Learning Center, which will be home to three Pre-K classrooms.

Our district was featured in the January edition of Business View magazine! The nine-page article highlights our neighborhood/community school feel, incredible staff, recent and upcoming facility enhancements and strong academic programming. Read it via this link (page 315).

We launched our District and Athletics accounts last fall and they’re gaining traction. We invite you to follow them, along with our Facebook page, and ‘X’ account (links below). We share much of our social content on each platform, but some content is exclusive to IG and Facebook, which are the most popular. We share important information on social media and celebrate our students and staff!

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

District Office will be closed Monday, Feb. 17th in honor of President's Day and open the rest of the week to the public from 9 AM to 3 PM. We'll resume (school and) regular hours on Monday, Feb. 24!

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