December Message

Strategic Planning Calls for Commentary 
For many years the West Genesee Central School District has engaged in a reflective and goal-oriented review process which culminates in a Strategic Plan for Educational Improvement. You can view the 2019-20 Strategic Plan here. A critical component in the development of this plan comes from the feedback we receive from our staff, students, community, and parents. The Strategic Planning Team would appreciate a few moments of your time to tell them about our areas of strength and where we need to grow and improve. Please click here to complete the brief survey by January 24th.

Dance and Open Gym
Our next event will be Friday, January 24th from 6:00 -8:00 pm. DJ Dan Becker will be here to provide the music, and the gym will be open for pick-up basketball. Tickets are $5 at the door. Proceeds benefit our PTO.

December Message 
The snow is landing on the trees outside of my office window as I write this message…just so pretty! I have always felt that the CMS campus is the most tranquil school setting anywhere. No matter what window you look out of, no matter the season, we are surrounded by groves of trees and nature. I hope you and your children will enjoy the beauty of Central New York as we start our two week break in a few days.

Each year, in my December message, I share a reading list so that you have a few suggestions to choose from during the break. This year I wanted to pass on some titles related to the practice of mindfulness. This list was recommended in the Mental Health Education Literacy In Schools Comprehensive Guide. There have been many studies that show how children, particularly adolescents, can benefit from using some of these simple mindfulness habits. This article from the New York Times also has some wonderful resources for your family.

Affirmation Weaver: A Believe in Yourself Story, by Lori Lite
Angry Octopus: A Relaxation Story, by Lori Lite
Bubble Riding, by Lori Lite
Building Emotional Intelligence, by Linda Lantieri
Mindful Movements, by Thich Nhat Hanh
Mindfulness for Beginners, by Jon Kabat-Zinn
See Otter Cove: A Relaxation Story, by Lori Lite
Sitting Still Like A Frog, by Eline Snel
The Way of Mindful Education, by Daniel Rechtschaffen
The Wisdom Within, by Allison Morgan
The Boy and the Bear, by Lori Lite

Everyone here at CMS wishes you and your family a peaceful and restful break. I can’t wait to welcome your children back on January 6th!

We Celebrate Learning!
Beth
Follow us on Twitter @camillusmiddle

Important Dates 
Dec 23 - Jan 5 - Holiday Recess 
January 8 - Board of Education 7:00 pm @ HS LGIR
January 9 - 8th Gr. Parent/Guardian Night - 6:00 pm @ CMS LGI
January 10 - Wildcat Friday
January 20 - Martin Luther King Day - No School
January 21 - PTO Meeting - 6:30 pm @ HS LGI
January 21 - Talk w/ the Superintendent - 7:00 pm @ HS LGI
January 22 - Board of Education - 7:00 pm @ HS Library
January 24 - End of 20 weeks
January 24 - Dance & Open Gym - 6 - 8:00 pm
January 27 - Staff Development Day – No School 
January 28 - Begin 2nd Semester
January 31 - Report Cards sent home

November Message

Report Cards

The first 10 week report card will be hand carried home today by students and is available on SchoolTool. Please take a moment to review it with your child. This is a perfect time to set new academic goals and notice what study habits are successful. Please contact our Guidance Department at 315-672-8381 if you wish to meet with your child’s teaching team.

Board of Education Community Forum

The Board of Education will be hosting a Community Forum on November 20 at the high school library starting at 6:00 p.m. (prior to the Board meeting that will start at 7:00 p.m.) It will be an opportunity to meet the Board and ask questions that you would like answered about their role within the District in their continued effort to listen and engage community members on any range of topics of interest

Student Drop-off and Pick-up

When dropping off or picking up your student at the beginning of the day, dismissal or the end of IT, please remember to do so from the parking lot. Using the bus loop will impede the flow of our buses. Thank you for your cooperation.

Important Dates

November 20 - Board of Education Forum & Meeting 6:00 p.m.

November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Recess

December 4 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m.

December 5 - 7/8 Gr Band & Chorus Concert - 7:00 p.m.

December 6 - Wildcat Friday

December 10 - 6 Gr Band, Orchestra & Chorus Concert - 7:00 p.m.

December 20 - 15 Week Reports Available

October Message

Dear CMS Families,

Thank you for the outstanding attendance at our Curriculum and Title 1 night. We received so much warm feedback about how happy your children are here at CMS. It is really nice for us to hear as we focus, every day, on providing a rigorous and relevant academic program in a supportive environment. We also have MANY extra-curricular events throughout the year. This week alone we will have a Student Council meeting, the building round of the Spelling Bee, a Math League competition, and Camillus Park and Recreation Ski Club sign-ups. Remember, we post every announcement for all our events on the CMS web-site under the “announcement” tab. At the five week mark, I am happy to report that we are off to a great start to the school year!

As a staff, we are always trying to learn more about what we can do to create the best environment for all of our students to learn and grow. It’s a tall order for middle level, especially given the particular developmental needs of adolescents. Our students need structure and freedom, challenges and down time, and full attention to their social and emotional well-being. New York State has responded to the social and emotional needs by creating Mental Health Literacy Standards. This year, we are taking our monthly faculty meeting time to learn more about the Standards and reflect on how we are implementing them. Since parents and guardians are our most powerful partners in this area, I thought you might want to take a look at them yourself. You can read them here. In the coming months, I’ll continue to post resources that will be helpful to you at home. We are only a phone call away if you have a question or concern.

We Celebrate Learning!

Beth

Follow us on Twitter @camillusmiddle

P.S. The dance scheduled for October 25 has been reschedule to January 10.

Spirit-wear Sale
Our CMS PTO will be organizing the Spirit-wear sale. To order use the Username: CAMILLUS, Password: WG2019. All orders must be placed online by October 25. Click here for further details.

First 5 week Progress Report

The first 5 week Progress Report will be available on SchoolTool this Friday, October 11. Please take a moment to review it with your child. This is a perfect time to set new academic goals and notice what study habits are successful. Please contact our Guidance Department at 315-672-8381 if you wish to meet with your child’s teaching team.

Picture Retake Day is coming!
If you missed picture day back in September or if you were unhappy with your first photo shoot, our photographer will be back in the building on Friday, October 25. Please bring your old photos to exchange at the retake session.



Important Dates
October 11 - 5 week reports available on Schooltool
October 14 - No School - Columbus Day
October 16 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 pm 2 WGHS
October 25 - Picture Retake Day
October 31 - Student Council Halloween Costume Contest

September Message

Dear CMS Families~

Day 1 of the 2019-20 school year is in the books! Thank you for sending your children back to us as we begin to Celebrate Learning with them for the next 182 days (minus the inevitable CNY snow days)! The life of a middle schooler is certainly a busy one. Academics, outside interests, family time, and socializing with friends takes up most of the day. It’s hard to imagine that they have any downtime at all. Add into the mix the fact that an adolescent’s brain is developing more quickly than when they were infants (It’s true!), and it is no surprise that sleep is an important component of a physically and mentally healthy state of being. That old adage about “8 hours” of sleep being the sweet spot doesn’t really hold true for adolescents. It might surprise you to know that The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 9-10 hours for them. Getting that screen time decreased, especially in the early evening, helps to kick into gear the natural desire for sleep. Once your child develops this routine, they will typically notice how much better they feel and perform. This first short week of school is the perfect time to train their brains to benefit from the power of a good night’s sleep!

While we are on the topic of busy kids (and families), you might not be aware that we make morning and afternoon announcements every single day. Announcements run the gamut from when Student Council meets, the due date for yearbook orders, the lunch menu for the next day and EVERYTHING in between. It’s a lot to remember. Announcements for students and families are updated daily on the CMS Announcement page of the WG website. Please visit this page whenever you need an update. We also include the Positivity Project character message of the week.

Come meet the new Superintendent, David C. Bills.

Please contact me at any time if you have any questions or concerns.
We Celebrate Learning!

Beth
Follow us on Twitter @camillusmiddle
P.S. – If you haven’t had your child return the “pink sheet” please do it tomorrow!

I would like to introduce you to our newest staff members:

Mrs. Mary Klink – 7th grade Health teacher
Mrs. Anne Dorio – Special Education teacher
Mrs. Jennifer Palmer – Art teacher
Officer Tim Macholl – Special Patrol Officer
Ms. Paula Bernardoni – School Counselor intern

School Safety and Security

The District has made a strong commitment to enhance the safety and security of all of our school buildings. Over the summer we added a second bank of secured doors in the main foyer. I would like to remind you of a few of the protocols in place when you visit us here:

• Upon being allowed through the exterior door of a district building, visitors will be asked to present a photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport.
• Your ID will either be scanned or manually entered into the system at the transaction window in the secure vestibule. 
• Once cleared, you will proceed to the main office to retrieve your ID, sign in and receive a pre-printed badge with your photo on it.
• You will then be directed to the appropriate location.
• This badge must be worn at all times when in the building.
• When in the building, you are only approved to go to the specific location requested. You should not go to any other area of the building without returning to the main office for approval.
• When leaving the building, return to the main office, turn in your badge and sign out.

We have also added the presence of a school resource officer (SRO), Tim Macholl, to the staff here at CMS. Officer Tim will be another trusted adult here in the building to help support our students.

Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendars for our Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 26th from 6:30-8:00 pm. The schedule for the evening will be in the mail to you next week...be on the lookout! Please make sure to stop by our library where we will have refreshments. While you are there you can become a PTO member, volunteer for a committee and see our Positivity Project resources. Curriculum Night is for parents and guardians only. We look forward to a terrific year where We Celebrate Learning!

September 6 - Wildcat Friday
September 6 - 6th Gr. Getting Acquainted Dance 2:15-4:00
September 10 - 1st Day of Interaction Time
September 13 - Picture Day
September 18 - Board of Education Mtg - 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS
September 24 - Talk w/ the Superintendent - 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS LGIR
September 26 -  Curriculum Night - 6:30-8:00 p.m.

April Message

PTO MEETING and District Budget Presentation TONIGHT!

Please plan to attend the PTO meeting at the high school at 6:00 pm tonight. We will be electing officers for the 2019-20 school year. If you want any information about serving as an officer please contact our president, Mrs. Pearlene Amica at pearlene.amica@gmail.com. Following our meeting at 7:00 pm, Assistant Superintendent Paul Pelton, will be presenting the school budget for 2019-20.  Both meetings will be held in the Large Group Instruction Room.


Report Cards

The 30 week report card will be available on SchoolTool on Friday, April 26 and will be hand carried home by students. Please take a moment to review it with your child. Please contact our Guidance Department at 315-672-8381 if you any question or concerns.



New York State Mathematics Testing

Please see the testing schedule below:

Testing Schedule

Math  - Grades 6

April 30 & May 1

Testing during per. 1-3

Class resumes 4th per.

*7 & 8^th grade on regular schedule

Math – Grades 7 & 8

May  2 & 3

Testing during per. 1-3

Class resumes 4th per.

*6^th grade on regular schedule

April 26 - Report Cards Available

April 30 & May 1 - 6th Gr. NYS Math Assessments

May 2 & 3 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS Math Assessments

May 3 - Wildcat Friday

May 5 - 17 - CMS Art Exhibit at Maxwell Library

May 6 - Battle of the Books - 7:00 p.m.

May 8 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. at WGHS LGIR

May 13 - SEPTSA Meeting - 6:30 at WGHS

May 16 - Talent Show - 7:00 p.m. 

May 17 - End of 35 Weeks

May 20 - 6th Grade Orientations - 6:00 p.m. at CMS LGIR

May 21 - Budget Vote - 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. at WGHS 

May 22 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. at WGHS LGIR

May 23 - NYS 8th Grade Science Performance Assessment

May 23 - Special Olympics at CNSHS

May 24 - 35 Week Reports 

May 27 - Memorial Day - No School

March Message

Dear CMS Families:

Camillus Middle School students will be participating in the annual New York State Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics starting next week. Please see the chart below for the administration details. These assessments measure the learning standards around which our teachers design and deliver their daily instruction. Our teachers routinely revise and refine this instruction to make it the most rigorous and relevant experience for our students. Because of this, we have no need to engage in test preparation or practice tests. Our children are completely prepared to take these assessments because our curriculum is in alignment with the standards the tests measure.

I know that some of you may have reservations about encouraging your child to take the assessments. Your concerns, together with the concerns of educators, have been influential in changing some important aspects of the assessments. Here are some of the positive adjustments that were made last year and are in place for this testing cycle:

• 3 days to 2 days of testing 
• Untimed testing – students may have as much time as they need
• All questions have been written and reviewed by New York State teachers
• Student scores are not part of the formal evaluation system for teachers and administrators

From our perspective, the assessments are a valuable tool that help us know how effectively our curriculum is aligning with the standards. Since students from across the state take the assessments, the results provide a window into how we compare with similar schools and where we can make improvements. I am encouraging you to support the message we are giving your children here at school; this is your opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned and how you have grown as a student. We ask them to simply do their best. You can also help at home by making sure they have a good night’s sleep, a little something to eat and extra hydration. A quick “you’ve got this” as they go out the door in the morning helps to motivate them with a positive outlook.

I would be very happy to speak with you should you have any questions at all about the assessments. Please feel free to call me at 315-672-3159.

We Celebrate Learning!
Beth

Testing Schedule

ELA –  Grade 6	April  1 & 2	Testing during per. 1-3	Class resumes 4th per.
*7 & 8th grade on regular schedule
ELA – Grades 7 & 8	April  3 & 4	Testing during per. 1-3	Class resumes 4th per.
*6th grade on regular schedule
Math  - Grades 6	April 30 & May 1	Testing during per. 1-3	Class resumes 4th per.

*7 & 8^th grade on regular schedule

Math – Grades 7 & 8

May  2 & 3

Testing during per. 1-3

Class resumes 4th per.

*6^th grade on regular schedule

April 1 & 2 - 6th Gr. NYS ELA Assessments
April 3 & 4 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS ELA Assessments
April 3 - Board of Education Meeting - 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS
April 5 - Wildcat Friday
April 9 - Group Yearbook Pictures
April 10 - SEPTSA Meeting - 6:30 p.m. @ OR
April 12 - End of 30 Weeks
April 15 - 19 - Spring Recess - No School
April 23 - CMS PTO Meeting & Budget Presentation - 6:00 p.m. @ WGHS
April 26 - Report Cards Available
April 30 & May 1 - 6th Gr. NYS Math Assessments
May 2 & 3 - 7 & 8th Gr. NYS Math Assessments

March Message

The 11th annual Culture Fair will be held at West Genesee High School on Saturday, March 2nd from 12:00-3:00 p.m in the upper gymnasium. Join us as we celebrate our community’s diversity at this fun event featuring dance performances, live music, cultural demonstrations, food samples, artwork, T-shirts, kids crafts, and more!

Our next 3:3 Basketball Tournament will be on Friday, March 8th from 2:15-4:00 pm. Teams can be mixed grade levels and/or co-ed with 4 players maximum. Team registration forms were handed out in PE classes and are also available in the main office. Fill out the form and return payment ($5 per player) to the Main Office by Monday, March 4th. All proceeds benefit our PTO. Let’s Play!

Our favorite week of the year is almost here . . . Spirit Week will be March 18 - 22! Next week Student Council will be voting on the theme for each day, check the WG website - CMS Announcement page for the final vote.

Our annual St. Patrick’s Day Dance will be on Friday, March 15th from 6:00-8:00 pm. DJ Dan Becker will be here with his flashing lights and the best dance music in town. Our gym will also be open for basketball. Tickets are available at the door for $5. Snacks will be available for sale. All proceeds benefit our PTO.  If you would like to chaperone, please contact our Dance Chairperson, Pam Anastasio, at panastas@skanschools.org. Wear your green and come on out for a great night!

Our 25-week progress reports will be available for viewing on SchoolTool Friday, March 15th. If you have trouble logging on to view, please call or email Nancy Boise at nboise@westgenesee.org or 315-672-8381.

March 1 - Wildcat Friday

                 Career Fair - 8th Grade

March 2 - Culture Fair 12-3 p.m. @ WGHS

March 6 -  Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS

March 8 - 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament 2:15-4:00 p.m.

March 12 - 6th Grade Concert 7:00 p.m. 

March 15 - 25 Week Reports Available

                   St. Patrick's Day Dance 6-8 p.m.

March 19 - 7/8 Gr. Band & Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m.

March 20 - 1/2 Day for Students - 10:10 a.m. dismissal

                    Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m. @ WGHS

March 26 - Jazz Band, Chamber String, & Select Chorus 

                   Concert 7:00 p.m.

January Message

Yearbooks
The last day to order yearbooks will be Friday, March 1st.  Yearbooks can be ordered online at www.balfour.com. If you have any questions, please contact our yearbook advisors, Mrs. Clift at kclift@westgenesee.org or Mr. Keida at dkeida@westgenesee.org.


Report Cards
Second semester report cards will be passed out tomorrow, Friday, February 1st. Please take this opportunity to review your student's progress with them. If you have any questions or difficulty logging into SchoolTool, please contact our Guidance Department at 672-8381. Click on the 'Grades' tab, select 'Marking Period Grades' in the 'view' drop-down and make sure to have 'Marking Period 2' selected.

Principal’s Message 
Each school year, during the last week of January, we conclude the first semester with what is known as a Workshop Day.  I know that our students enjoy having another day off, but it might surprise you to know how much gets accomplished here on that day. Last Monday we had training for bus drivers, professional development in the area of English as a New Language and presentations on mental health. Additionally, every middle level content area met as a department. These days provide incredibly valuable professional development time, especially now. Did you know that in New York State every content area is currently undergoing a standards review process? From Fine Arts to Chemistry and Physical Education to World Languages, our teachers are doing a deep dive into what the new standards mean for them and for our students. By the year 2024, all New York State assessments including the grades 3-8 tests in ELA and math and all Regents exams will be in alignment to these new standards. If you have a child in 10th grade, they will take the first realigned Regents exam when they sit for the Global History test this June. 

The District has responded to these changes in the best possible way. We have created a Curriculum Advisory Team made up of administrators and teachers from every grade level. This team is developing a plan to ensure that we fully grasp the standards, and that teachers have the right resources. Ultimately the team will make sure that we have a curriculum review cycle and that all documents will be easily available to the entire school community. 

We are excited for the work ahead of us...
For the rigor of the intellectual process of converting standards to units of study which drive our daily lessons.
For the clear focus of strengthening the instructional core.
For the opportunities we will create for all of our students as they journey from their place as a student of West Genesee to a productive and caring citizen of the world.
It’s a great time to be a Wildcat! We are truly celebrating learning!

Beth

Follow us on Twitter @Camillusmiddle

Important Dates
February 1 – Wildcat Friday – Wear Your Blue and Gold!
February 6 - 3 on 3 Basketball Tournaments - 2:15-4:00
February 6 – Board of Education – 7:00 pm at WGHS
February 14 – Science Fair – CMS gym – 6:00-7:00 pm
February 15 – No Interaction Time
February 18-22 – No school – Winter Recess
February 28 – Choral Festival – 7:00 pm at WGHS
March 1 – Career Fair/OCC Field Trip – grade 8
March 2 – Culture Fair – Noon-3:00 pm at WGHS