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.