Avonworth School District News
December 2022
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
Hi Neighbor! Event a Fun Night for All
Celebrations from England, Germany, Mexica, Nigeria, Philippines, and Russia were featured as part of the event. Students had the opportunity to make a cracker from England, a gingerbread cookie from Germany, and a firework ornament from Nigeria among many other traditional crafts.
At the ornaments table, children were asked to paint a flag ornament that represented their family's background and hang it on the tree.
This project is made possible by a partnership with Kidsburgh. ASD is excited to participate in a "Parents as Allies" project with other districts in our region. This is the third Hi Neighbor event so far. Among other events was a celebration of the Lunar New Year, Holi, and Day of the Dead.
Veterans Day Experience
At the History Center, veterans from Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, and World War II answered students' questions, shared personal stories, and brought artifacts from their time in the military. Students met in small groups to have more personal interactions with each veteran and learned about their remarkable stories. The heroic actions of these individuals were an inspiration to both students and teachers.
Veterans in attendance included: Ryan Ahl (Iraq), Dave Borland (Korea), Jim Puhala (Vietnam), Warren Goss (World War II), and Bob Taylor (World War II - Homefront).
Making Beautiful Music
The middle school and high school chorus, elementary band and strings concerts, and the middle school and high school concerts were wonderful!
Congratulations to all of our musicians and instructors for all of your talent and hard work throughout the year!
Congratulations to our Beattie Students of the Month for November / December 2022!
Advertising Design
Mia Burnett – Avonworth
Automotive Collision Technology
Carly Owens – Avonworth
Automotive Technology
Josiah Weiss – Avonworth
Alexander Higley – Avonworth
Carpentry/Building Construction
Keifer Carroll – Avonworth
Emergency Response Technology
Joseph Weiss - Avonworth
SMART-EST
Sophia Quigley – Avonworth
Photo:
Front (left to right): Mia Burnett and Sophia Quigley
Back (left to right) Keifer Carroll, Jospeh Weiss, and Josiah Weiss
Not pictured: Carley Owens
Drama Award Nominations
The 3rd Annual Prime Stage High School Drama Award nominations are here!
Congratulations to the students who were nominated along with the entire cast and crew on their award nominations!
Best Overall Production Nomination
Avonworth High School
Best Actor Nomination
Henry Wagner
Best Actress Nomination
Grace Horigan
Best Supporting Actress Nomination
Bree Brown
Best Student Director Nomination
Abby Boyd & Aiden Powell
Best Student Crew Nomination
Avonworth High School
Best Student Stage Manager Nomination
Abby Boyd & Aiden Powell
Best Student Sound Design
Payton Sciere & Brandon Smidle
8th Grade Travels Back in Time
Some notable guests included Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Paine. But lesser known guests such as Peter Salem, Deborah Sampson, and Olaudah Equiano were also portrayed by students. A few students even created their own characters such as a South Carolina widow, an apothecary from New Jersey, and a privateer from Massachusetts.
After significant research into their character's history and completing several writing prompts, students prepared to debate the important political issues of Colonial America such as taxes, slavery, and voting rights. In addition, they reacted to major events such as the Boston Tea Party, the publishing of Common Sense, and reports of tax collectors being tarred & feathered.
Contrasting the actual delegations in Colonial America, this Revolutionary Town Hall intentionally included diverse perspectives in our meeting to include women, enslaved Africans, immigrants, low-income farmers, religious minorities, Loyalists, and Native Americans. Students playing these characters provided valuable insight to the conversations about whether or not declaring independence from Great Britain would truly be in everyone's best interest.
Whether a student declared themselves a Patriot or a Loyalist, they had the opportunity to hear the complex range of views that exist on a variety of political issues, some of which still resonate with Americans today.
Lopes Learning Academy - What the FBI wants you to know about keeping your children safe!
In today's world, children have access to technology daily. Access to technology and the internet exposes our children to potential dangers. Please consider joining a virtual information session with the FBI on January 19th from 7-8 PM to learn about keeping our children safe in today's world.
FBI representatives Felicia Trovato and Stacy Phillips will host this virtual session to share information about the current drug landscape and sextortion. This session is open to all parents and caregivers in Allegheny County and will be moderated by ASD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hadley.
Click here to register. A zoom link will be emailed after you register.
Bringing Affordable Internet to Families
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communications Commission program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service.
This new benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail in application.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/ACP, or by calling 877-384-2575.
To Help Keep Your Holidays Bright...Go to Care Solace
Happy holidays!
With winter break upon us, we encourage you to relax, unwind, and settle into a safe and restful break.
The holiday season is a time for togetherness and joy, but it can sometimes bring unwelcome guests, like stress and grief. Some of us may be experiencing the holidays without a loved one. Some of us may be balancing endless to-do lists from shopping to entertaining. While we each celebrate this season’s joys, it’s important to stay mindful, acknowledge our feelings, and reach out for help if needed.
To help keep your holidays bright, below are helpful resources. We encourage you to save these resources so you can easily reference them should you or a family member need help.
Avonworth School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of our community.
If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. This is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Avonworth School District. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a mental health care provider:
- Call 888-515-0595. Support is available 24/7/365 in over 200 languages.
- Visit www.caresolace.com/avonworth and either search on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
May you enjoy your break and return rested and reinvigorated for a fantastic new year!
Winter Weather Plan
The temperatures outside remind us that we are officially into the winter weather season! As we prepare for the possibility of weather-related delays and closings, we want to make sure families are as prepared as possible.
If we need to physically close our schools due to weather, we will shift to remote instruction. All students in grades K-12 will attend classes remotely. A remote learning day will run on a 2-hour delay schedule for all students K-12. Remote instruction will begin for middle and high school students at 10:00 AM and primary and elementary students at 11:00 AM. The extra time in the morning will help teachers prepare for the remote learning day and give students any additional time they might need to complete work – or play in the snow!
All Avonworth schools will operate on a 2-hour delay schedule if we call for a delay.
If we have to delay school or move to remote instruction due to inclement weather, the information will be shared in the following ways:
- The Avonworth School District website (www.avonworth.k12.pa.us)
- School Messenger (call and email)
- Facebook (www.facebook.com/AvonworthSD)
- Twitter (https://twitter.com/avonworthschool)
- Local news stations (WPXI, WTAE, KDKA)
Please use our website (www.avonworth.k12.pa.us) as your official source for information.
Bocce Season Begins
It was a great double overtime match between Avonworth and North Allegheny. Unfortunately, NA won in the end.
Go Lopes! Have a great season!
Signing Day!
He has signed with Kent State Football for the 2023 season!
Soccer Team Celebrates
Trib High School Sports Network “Fab 15”:
- Fiona Mahan
All WPIAL:
- Minah Syam
- Gianna Babusci
- Fiona Mahan
All-Section:
- Minah Syam
- Tess Pappass
- Eden Schelis
- Gianna Babusci
- Fiona Mahan
Congratulations to the team on a fantastic season!
Volleyball Recognition
Congratulations to Lady Lopes volleyball captain Sophie Culley on being named to the PVCA All State Team!
Congratulations to the following student athletes on being named to the All WPIAL Teams:
- Sophie Culley – First Team
- Nora Kate Gavin – Second Team
- Victoria Huffmyer – Second Team
- Mary Gannon -- Third Team
Boys' Soccer Recognition
Congratulations to the following student athletes!
All WPIAL:
- Mike Osekowski
All Section:
- Mike Osekowski
- Jordan Dawley
- Eli Whalen
- Rowan Carmichael
- Ryan Monti – Honorable Mention
Football Recognition
Congratulations to the following student athletes! In addition, congratulations to Coach Duke Johncour on being named Coach of the Year!
LCpl Patrick Kenny Memorial Scholarship Award Winners:
- Peyton Faulkner
- Colin Crawford
All Conference Defense:
1st Team:
- Gabe Bonnet
- Colin Crawford
- Brandon Biagiarelli
2nd Team:
- Peyton Faulkner
- Elvin Le
- Brandon Fenters
- Andrew Kuban
- Nick Fenters
Honorable Mention:
- Ben Barnes
- Jackson Vogt
- Nico Neal
All Conference Offense:
1st Team:
- Peyton Faulkner
- Luke Hilyard
- Austin Johncour
- Aiden Ezar
- Brandon Biagiarelli
- Andrew Juban
- Mason Metz
2nd Team:
- Nate Harper
- Cole Hansen
- Zach Dimtroff
- Colin Crawford
Offensive Player of the Year:
- Luke Hilyard, Running Back
Defensive Player of the Year:
- Brandon Biagiarelli, Line Backer
Defensive Lineman of the Year:
- Gabe Bonnet
Team Brunch
Save the Date
1/3: Welcome back to school!
1/11: AMS Parent Network Meeting at 7 PM
1/11: End of First Semester for Grades 3-12
1/16: Act 80 Day -- No School for Students