Thursday, March 19, 2020

School Closure Update from CMS

Dear CMS Families~

As we start to make the transition to virtual learning, our teachers and staff have been working to develop remote learning opportunities for our students during this extended school closure. Our teachers, teaching assistants and school counselors will be engaging with students through Google Classroom, email, and/or virtual office hours. Contact information for our teachers and professional staff, organized by department, is provided here.  Any questions or concerns relating to online instruction should be directed to the teacher of the course.

While we know that many of our teachers are already checking in with students, starting on Monday, March 23rd, students will receive lessons/activities in their Google Classroom accounts. We know that families are dealing with numerous challenges, so students should expect only one to two 40 minutes lessons/activities each week for core class at this time. Special Area teachers will be providing one 40 minute lesson per week. Feedback on student  learning will be provided by teachers as students submit work. Our primary goal is to maintain our connections with students and to continue developing their academic skills and proficiency. Participation is expected, as teachers will be monitoring student involvement via comments, emails, and Google Classroom activity.  Engagement and consistency are the keys to success in the coming weeks. An overview and link to the WG Online Learning Portal can be found here.

We ask that you continue to look for updates in the following ways: 

West Genesee School District website
CMSPrincipal Blog
Student and/or parent or guardian emails
Twitter: @camillusmiddle

I would like to recognize all of the Wildcat staff  who have been working tirelessly to organize and deliver meals and technology. Our incredible custodial staff continue to work to keep all of our buildings disinfected. 

Thank you to our District Level PTA/PTO’s for arranging for volunteers and creating our first Virtual Spirit Week.  We start that with Pajama Day on Monday!

Our current plan of distance learning is based on a return to school on April 14, 2020. Due to the unforeseen nature of this virus and the caution that we will exercise to protect the West Genesee family, our plans may change. These changes will be guided by both New York State and Onondaga County. Any updates, should we need to make them, will be communicated on our district website, through my blog, Twitter and through email. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I will be receiving all voicemail messages left on the building phone at 315-672-3159 or you can email me at blozier@westgenesee.org

Take good care now~ 

We Celebrate Learning! (Always!)

Beth Anne Lozier 
Principal - Camillus Middle School



MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS INTERVENTION RESOURCES:
(315) 448-6555 Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, open 24 hours, 7 days a week
(866) 543-KIDS Emergency room for children, open 24 hours, 7 days a week
(315) 468-3260 24 hour help for victims of domestic and sexual violence
(315) 701-2985 Information about how to report child abuse, intervention and education.
ACCESS (315) 463-1100 Onondaga County's Intensive Case Management Children & Family Program; provides clinical case management services to families with one or more seriously emotionally disturbed child or adolescent experiencing a crisis.
Dial 211 for Information and referrals for human services within a five county region. This is a hotline to help families and individuals find referrals for help with things such as housing, food, mental health, substance abuse, disaster relief, legal assistance and finances.
Hotline Numbers
CONTACT Hotline
(315) 251-1400 -24-hour suicide prevention and crisis counseling and referral.
Crisis Text Line- 741741 (24 hour)
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
National Adolescent Suicide Hotline: 1-800-621-4000
Hotline for Teens that Cut: 1-800-366-8288
National Eating Disorder Hotline: 1-800-248-3285
Be Sober Hotline: 1-800-237-6237
Drug Help National Helpline: 1-800-378-4435

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline 1-800-843-5678 (To report suspected online child sexual exploitation)