Aaron R. Johnson

MOVING AND MATH! One of the six grants the West Irondequoit Foundation provided for this school year was for Rogers Middle School, which now uses hands-on, visual learning tools and math mats to enable students to practice math while physically moving. Watch more in our video with grant authjor & Rogers fourth-grade teacher, Lindsay Lennertz, and Foundation Student Board Rep, Cooper Petzing, an IHS senior. ◾MORE GRANTS: bit.ly/WI_PastGrants ◾DONATE ONLINE: bit.ly/WIF_Donate @MissLennertz @n_dimartino

#6 seed IHS lost in the Section V Class A2 quarterfinals at home today to #3 McQuaid to end the Eagles' season with a record of 7-6. "Our group has showed a lot of promise throughout the spring," first-year head coach Paul Myers said. IHS graduates three seniors. Thanks for the support this season! We'll see you next spring!

☑️ Vote Results by District Clerk - Jenna Lustig COMMENTS ◾️Supt. of Schools, Dr. Aaron Johnson ◾️Board of Education Pres., Mr. Matt Sullivan "(Our community members) trust and relish the work that's done in this district and it makes it easier for the community to make decisions like they made today," Sullivan said.

MORE ON THE PROPS: Superintendent Aaron Johnson shares more about the two propositions on this year's ballot, including how the district can save money by accessing additional aid for a new Energy Performance Contract (Proposition #2) that will make our district more efficient. Read more on our website about each proposition: bit.ly/VotePage_WICSD. Polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday for the District Vote!

The District Budget Vote and Board of Education election is Tuesday, May 19. Use the links below to learn more about the 2026-27 proposed budget, two propositions on the ballot and two Board of Education candidates. 🔵“The Quote” newsletter: bit.ly/Quote_page 🟡Vote page: bit.ly/VotePage_WICSD

NASRCC Carpenters Union here today as our Future Friday guest #skilledtrades #opportunity #careerpathways #portraitofagraduate

⭐As an avid bicyclist who once pedaled all the way from Irondequoit to Myrtle Beach, Marc Bigsby knows it’s about more than just reaching the destination – it’s about the journey. That same philosophy guides him as a School Social Worker, as he focuses on supporting students through each step of their personal, academic, and social growth. He meets them where they are and helps them move forward with confidence. Thank you, Mr. Bigsby, for guiding our students as they find their way. 💙POSITION: School Social Worker at Colebrook elementary and Iroquois Middle School. 💛WICSD SERVICE: 19 years (35-plus years overall in education); he also has been Advisor to the Chess Club at Iroquois with about 100 students and trains Peer Mediators. 📍HOMETOWN: Born in Philadelphia, he has lived in Irondequoit for nearly 20 years. Mr. Bigsby also has lived in Germany, Cincinnati, NY’s Southern Tier and the Ithaca area. ❓WHAT’S YOUR WHY? “In my position as a school social worker, I get to meet the most interesting, amazing kids and their families! I am a problem-solver by nature and enjoy helping people find solutions. I really enjoy seeing kids develop new strategies to help them work through social/emotional/behavioral difficulties.” ➡READ MORE: bit.ly/WI_Spotlight

☑ BE INFORMED: We are 4⃣ days away from the District Budget Vote and Board of Education election on Tuesday, May 19. We will share facts all this week about the 2026-27 proposed budget and two propositions on the ballot. Use the links below to learn more. 🔵“The Quote” newsletter: bit.ly/Quote_page 🟡Vote page: bit.ly/VotePage_WICSD

**INSIDE THE PINEGROVE LEARNING CENTER** With the R.I.S.E. Project complete, work has started on the $24.6 million Promise Project 2027, the district Capital Improvement Project approved by voters in December of 2024. It includes a major renovation and modernization of the Pinegrove Learning Center, 154 Pinegrove Ave., and the addition of a multi-purpose athletic complex at our main campus behind IHS and Dake Jr. HS featuring new turf baseball and softball fields, plus a new grass baseball diamond at Iroquois MS. The transformation of the Pinegrove facility, adjacent to the Helmer Nature Center and 70-plus years old, will allow the district to add three Pre-kindergarten classrooms, so we can get more children off our annual Pre-K/UPK waiting list and into classrooms. The work will also add a STEAM Lab (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) for district-wide use, including HNC use. This will be a “full gut” renovation of the existing building including: • Secure entrance and vestibule • Administration and Nurse offices • Restrooms, staff break room and custodial room Work began in March on a reconfigured drop-off/pick-up loop in front of the building. Oh, we can’t forget this addition: A new age-appropriate playground, too! TURF FIELDS: Construction on the state-of-the-art turf fields on the main campus will begin after the IHS baseball/softball seasons conclude later this month. Below is an estimated work timeline: SPRING 2026: • Begin work at Pinegrove Learning Center • Mobilize to IHS/Dake (main campus turf) and middle school (grass) fields for construction; expect to happen in late May/early June 2026 SUMMER 2026: • Mobilize to Iroquois MS for corridor renovations and elevator modernization • Continuing work at middle school field • Continuing work at main campus turf athletic complex FALL/WINTER 2026: • Turnover interior renovations at Iroquois MS • Continuing work at Pinegrove Learning Center and both fields SPRING 2027: • Final preparation of Pinegrove Learning Center and Pre-K/UPK building • Final preparation of main campus turf athletic complex and Iroquois fields • Project Closeout ALL UPDATES: westirondequoit.org/district/capit…

☑ BE INFORMED: We are 5⃣ days away from the District Budget Vote and Board of Education election on Tuesday, May 19. We will share facts all this week about the 2026-27 proposed budget and two propositions on the ballot. Use the links below to learn more. 🔵“The Quote” newsletter: bit.ly/Quote_page 🟡Vote page: bit.ly/VotePage_WICSD

🎉CONGRATULATIONS! Senior Gianna Geesler was honored this morning with the Joe Genier Memorial Scholarship, given annually to the Irondequoit HS Business Student of the Year. The $1,500 award, as selected by the Irondequoit Chamber of Commerce, honored one student from IHS and one from Eastridge, Natalie Zazubec! Congratulations to both! “Gigi” has had a spectacular high school career! In addition to serving as Treasurer of the award-winning IHS DECA Club, this spring she was named a DECA Emerging Leader, a national honor, along with classmate, Sara Levesque. Gigi also teamed with classmates Elena Lamanna and Brooke Trovato to place sixth in the state and earn a spot in the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta for their franchise business plan. As a sophomore, Gigi was a DECA Regional Finalist in “Marketing Communications,” and last year her 10-page start-up business plan earned a Top 10 medal at states. She is an active member of National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, all while maintaining a 96 academic average. She will receive the State Education Department’s Career & Technical Gold Seal at graduation for demonstrating excellence in her rigorous business class coursework. Gigi’s charitable efforts have included volunteering for fall clean up at the Sunset House, ringing Salvation Army bells, helping collect food for the Irondequoit Community Cupboard and Special Olympics. Known for being a supportive teammate, Gigi played basketball and lacrosse throughout her career. She will attend St. Bonaventure University and major in Sports Management. She is the daughter of Julie and Greg Geesler. Greg is a 1992 IHS graduate and coaches football, basketball and lacrosse in our district. Julie (Mordaci) teaches at IHS and is a Bishop Kearney graduate. IHS business teachers LaVon Bucciarelli, Jeanine Lent and Lou DiCesare, who is retiring at the end of this school year, also attended today’s breakfast at Chapel Oaks along with West Irondequoit CSD Superintendent, Aaron Johnson, and Asst. Superintendent for Business, James Brennan. Gigi’s grandmothers, Gerry Geesler and Carol Mordaci, were there, too, along with her lacrosse teammate, classmate and friend, Revlie Genier. The scholarship is named in honor of Revlie’s grandfather.

⭐Congratulations to four IHS students who competed in the NYS SkillsUSA Championships in late April in Syracuse. And a special shoutout to senior Katelyn Mura, who took second place in the “Esthetics” category! Others who competed: senior Colleen MacAdam (Esthetics – Model), junior Zoey Ras (Job Interview) and senior Alexander Tuff (Collision Repair Tech). They were among 46 Eastern Monroe Career Center students who showcased their skills across a wide range of fields, from photography and welding to cosmetology and construction trades. EMCC combines real-life learning experiences, academic skills, and business and industry partnerships to prepare graduates for future education and employment endeavors. Pictured: Zoey Ras (left) and Colleen MacAdam (laying down). Photos courtesy MonroeOne BOCES.

🏈The IHS Flag Football team honored 20 different teachers at their Teacher Appreciation Nigh last Friday. What a great way for us to kick off Staff Appreciation Week. IHS Baseball holds its Teacher Appreciation today before its 5 p.m. game against Brighton. ⭐PLAYER - TEACHER⭐ Makenna Gaiteri – Mr. Powell Milani Durant – Ms. Tomarchio Emani Torres – Mr. Prinzi Luci Hawn – Ms. Dzakwic Deede Cotto – Dr. Brannigan Julia Gates – Mr. Bourji Ari Vega – Mrs. Russo Rylee Maxey – Mr. Olix Jayda Harrison – Mrs. Rhoney Leah Bellingham – Ms. Menzie Ella Phillips – Ms. Menzie Keilee Pagan – Mrs. Parent Zahara Taylor-Wright – Mr. Bourji Alaina LiVecchi – Ms. Springer Elisa Pacyga – Ms. Graves Gia Nelson – Mr. Rodgers & Ms. Bauer Laelani Wilson – Mr. Armstrong Maren Robinson – Mrs. Coleman & Mr. Nobles Trinity/ T.T. Marshall – Mrs. Verhage & Ms. Holland Our apologies, the picture is too wide for this format. Some people are cut off on either end.

⭐️ YOUNG LEADERS: For the third straight year, students from multiple schools in our district participated in the LYLAC event at Nazareth University. LYLAC stands for Launching Youth Leadership Action Conference. It’s an opportunity for some of our brightest to showcase what and how they’ve learned. Thank you to our outstanding students, educators and event organizers. The list of students who participated is below. Educators who brought student presenters: Cody Rogers (Rogers MS Restorative Team), Alyssa Acarisi (Rogers Green Team), Marissa Harris (Dake 8th grade ELA team) and Jen Gottfried (Iroquois 4th grade Stand Up Project team). STUDENT GROUPS The Power of Story: Reading and Writing Personal Narratives Claire Nowak Claire Kester Grace Link Timothy Johnson Jr. Dimitra Bisiritsa Gabriella Remillard Rogers Restorative Leaders Callan Teerlinck Tenley Payne Violet Corum Nolan Gallagher Paige Ostrosky Ellison Foster Jack Woodard Rogers Green Team Audrey Barber Lara Barber Bailey Lander Jimmy Payne Carter Southwick Lyla Marrapese Owen Larew Woody Fose LeLe O'Dowd Ashely Schauerman Rosa Barnum Lennox Metras Jax Godfrey Addy Benton Isabelle Bournival Empowering Student Voice: The Stand-Up Project Toni Branagan Katherine Sowers Eleanor Rutan Henry Jachlewski Noah Longboat Deschain Moultrie Catalina Little Harper DiLeo Parker Oas Maira Lum Parker Merulla Gianna Winden Maddie Katz @PrimetimeBall_ @ChrissyMiga_WI @AaronJohnsonWI @RocDevo

⚾️ Irondequoit baseball won 11-0 at Brockport to improve to 8-3 on the season. Eighth-grade pitcher Chase Minisce threw 4 shutout innings while allowing just 1 hit and hec fanned 9. Freshman Dylan Cornish made his varsity debut in relief and capped the shutout with 3 strikeouts. Senior Landon Bryan went 3-for-3 with a double, 2 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Senior Max Spitz added 3 hits and 2 steals, while sophomore Jimmy Jackson chipped in 2 hits and an RBI. The Eagles return home Monday to take on Brighton for Teacher Appreciation Day. With a beautiful forecast expected, the concession stand will also feature $1 dogs. 🌭

🎓 DECISION DAY 2026! Today we celebrated Irondequoit High School seniors who have chosen their next step—whether college, the workforce, the military, or another exciting path forward. We’re proud of every decision and the hard work that led here! Thank you to the WICPTSA for adding to the fun, and to Mrs. DiLeo and Principal Zipp-McLaughlin for the photos. Congratulations, Class of 2026—we can’t wait to see what you do next! Oh, the places you will go and yet always remember you have a home here at I-H-S! 👏🎉

⭐STAFF SPOTLIGHT: It has only been a few months since JoAnna Menzie became recognized around the halls of IHS as a “Mom” to one of its Therapy Dogs, Mabel, a big and beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog. Before that, she was just known for being a terrific Spanish teacher and coach. “Her passion for teaching Spanish inspires students and builds their confidence,” IHS Principal Alecia Zipp-McLaughlin says. Thank you for inspiring and caring, Ms. Menzie. We are lucky to have you (and Mabel!) in West Irondequoit! 💙POSITION: Level 2 & Level 3 Spanish Teacher, modified soccer coach, varsity bowling coach. 💛WICSD SERVICE: 13 years. 📍HOMETOWN: A 2008 graduate of Byron-Bergen High School, west of Rochester in Genesee County, she is now a City of Rochester resident and new homeowner who is busy with many house projects. FAMILY: Ms. Menzie is from a large family with five siblings with whom she is very close. She’s also a “Dog Mom.” READ MORE: westirondequoit.org/district/news/…

🌟CONGRATS! Iroquois Middle School sixth-grader Adriana Cassano was recently recognized as the Monroe County Young Citizen of the Year for founding the “Best Buddies” Chapter for her school. ""Through Best Buddies, Adriana has helped students both with and without disabilities build connections and friendships," Monroe County said in a news release. She was nominated by District 16 Legislator, Mr. Dave Long. Our entire district is extremely proud of Adriana’s amazing work and leadership! She is pictured with Monroe County Executive Adam Bello (an IHS graduate), County Legislator, Dave Long, and County Legislature President, Yversha Roman.

We are just under 3 weeks away from the May 19 District Vote! Look for “The Quote” budget newsletter in your mailboxes next week, or read it online now, including details on the two propositions on the ballot: bit.ly/VotePage_WICSD 🔹The Quote PDF: bit.ly/Vote_Quote2026… 🔹Mobile (multi-lingual) version: app.smore.com/n/3d1eh Learn more about the proposed District Budget for 2026-27, the two Board of Education election candidates (for two seats) and Proposition #1 (Maintenance Capital Project) and Proposition #2 (Energy Performance Contract Aid).

📷The seven IHS students who will head to Atlanta on Saturday for the DECA International Career Development Conference were celebrated last Friday at a luncheon at Monroe Golf Club hosted by 2001 IHS graduate John Loury, the President of Cause + Effect Strategy. It's the third straight year Mr. Loury has invited IHS DECA students headed to its most prestigious event to give their presentations in front of a few other IHS grads and local business leaders. That group included Lindsay Crane (Class of 2004) - Sales Account Executive, Sydor Optics; Rebecca Ferri (Class of 1998) - Chief Development & Communications Officer, Education Success Foundation; Jeff Casey (2001) - Counsel, CooperVision; John Mordaci - Vice President for Partnerships & Employer Engagement, Golisano Institute for Business Entrepreneurship. Pictured are, front row (left to right): John Loury, Brooke Trovato, Gianna Geesler, Elena Lamanna; back row, Isaac Aymerich , Isaac Nielsen, Ben Long and Ben Loomis.