Avonworth School District News
March 2022
Avonworth Band Plays On Deck of Battleship Wisconsin
The Avonworth Marching Band enjoyed a unique experience when they traveled to Norfolk and Williamsburg, Virginia.
The close to 80 band members who attended had the opportunity to play on the deck of the Battleship Wisconsin. It was part of a trip to Nauticus, a maritime-themed science center and museum in downtown Norfolk.
The band met several Navy cadets, some from Pittsburgh, who were excited to hear the band during a practice session. There was also a large cruise ship nearby and the passengers cheered on the band from the decks of the ship!
The kids enjoyed a wonderful weekend together and were proud to have the opportunity to take part in this unique event.
Avonworth Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Avonworth senior Samuel Veleke was named a National Merit Scholarship finalist.
High School Principal Keera Dwulit says this is a huge accomplishment for Sam and awesome news in a smaller school community like Avonworth.
Sam hopes to attend the University of Central Florida in the fall to study biochemistry. He says his favorite high school class is Calculus BC with Mr. Cario. Sam also enjoys Chinese Club and running cross country. One of his favorite memories from high school is going on the school’s New York City trip in 2019.
Sam would like to thank all of his teachers with special thanks to Mrs. Arnold.
Congratulations Sam and good luck in all of your future endeavors!
Exploring Careers
It was a great day!
Hands-On Learning
Instructors and current Beattie students talked with 8th graders and gave them hands-on experiences as well.
The programs in attendance:
- Dental Careers
- Auto Collision Technology
- Emergency Response Technology
- Cosmetology
- Sports Medicine/Exercise Science
Real World Lessons
Voting, taxes, and jobs! Second graders got a peek into the real world with Beattie Tech high school students who came to visit and teach the Junior Achievement curriculum.
Avonworth Community Enjoys a Night at the Museum
Students also created and shared artwork with an audience that included family, friends, teachers, school administration, University of Pittsburgh staff, and other invited guests.
With the help of History Center docents, students developed and practiced a presentation that informed audiences about local and national examples of people and groups that faced adversity in the U.S. The 8th grade class would like to thank the History Center staff as well as guests from Teen Screen who helped to make this event a success.
Read Across America!
The AES PTA purchased one book for every child in the school. We are very thankful to the PTA for their donation!
First grade also celebrated Read Across America Day with the Key Club.
Students created a self portrait that was then turned into a banner. The discussion centered around how we are alike yet different.
Odyssey of the Mind Participants See Great Success
Five of the seven competing teams have moved to the state competition with two teams taking first place in their divisions.
Good luck teams!
Practicing Citizenship
Students selected topics that were important to them including online privacy laws, gun rights, and minimum wage.
Recently, students received letters in the mail from Senator Robert Casey Jr. and US Representative Conor Lamb (PA-17th District).
Congressman Lamb also requested that a US flag be flown over the US Capitol for the students of Avonworth Middle School on February 23rd. This flag was sent to the school along with a certification from the Architect of the Capitol.
Math Teacher Earns Award
Sixth grade math teacher Melissa Costantino-Poruben has been selected as a state/jurisdiction-level finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
This makes her a state finalist for grades 7-12 twice and K-6 twice!
Costantino-Poruben has now moved to the national level of competition.
PAEMST representatives said, "It is clear that Pennsylvania has an incredible teaching force and it is quite an accomplishment to be nominated for PAEMST."
Congratulations to Ms. Costantino-Poruben!
Hi Neighbor!
Thanks to everyone who came out for our #ParentsAsAllies event.
We loved spending time as a community learning about Holi and Passover from our neighbors!
Avonworth Supports Ukraine
The Avonworth community raised more than $6,000.
Thank you to everyone who purchased a shirt and a special thank you to t-shirt supplier and community member Mike Shields of Shields Embroidery for donating all of his profits as well.
Beloved Teacher Honored
Dr. Ralston and Dr. Miller (Superintendent of South Fayette) recently surprised her with the news. She will be honored at a dinner in April.
Congratulations to Mrs. Frew on this well deserved honor!
Beattie Students of the Month
Congratulations to our January and February Students of the Month at Beattie!
- Andrew Bennett
- Corissa Otstot
- Nick Pierson
Game Night!
The first ever game night was a big hit at Avonworth Elementary!
Popular games that the teachers play during indoor recess were featured along with a few new ones. The focus was on fun but also problem solving, memory, and critical thinking.
About 200 people attended this wonderful event.
Electric House Project
Fourth Graders are making cross-curricular connections as they work on their Electric House Project.
Students worked to include a variety of circuits that use a functioning switch to turn on room lighting, power ceiling fans, and even provide light inside an oven or that which comes from the fireplace. Fourth Graders applied mathematics when measuring the length of wiring needed to create a complete circuit that transfers energy from their energy source to the functional switch and to that which produces light or motion.
Finding the area of the floors, walls, and ceilings has been necessary in order to know how much material is needed to cover them and to calculate the cost of the materials.
Additionally, students are applying their writing skills as they work to advertise their houses and create a mock website like those created by realtors. This electric house project connects students to a variety of career avenues such as electrical work, interior design, construction, and reality.
Students are demonstrating 21st century skills such as effective communication, creativity, problem solving, perseverance, collaboration, and technology skills. Keep working hard fourth graders!
Students Represent Avonworth at PMEA
Both of these students earned their spots by advancing from PMEA District Band in January.
Biz Town
Students investigated financial literacy, citizenship, economics, and skills needed to start and run a business throughout a 10-week program.
During the visit to BizTown, students experienced a simulation in which they were assigned a job and had worked together to run their business successfully.
Artists at Work
Check out some of their class projects. Awesome work!
- 3rd grade read Tar Beach and studied the story quilts of Faith Ringgold before drawing their own quilt setting.
- 4th grade is studying the history of Jazz music and creating collages inspired by Jazz and Romare Bearden.
- 5th grade created radial symmetry embossing and turtles with habitats.
- 6th grade worked diligently on a drawing of a detailed eye.
Avonworth Hockey Wins Big
The JV team pulls in a back-to-back championship victories in an exciting overtime thriller.
The middle school team also repeats as tournament champions after an incredible season.
Great job on the ice! Go 'lopes!
Historical Splashes
The Northgate/Avonworth swim and dive team returned to Bucknell University in March to compete in the PIAA AA state swim and dive championships.
Both the boys and girls made more history for the team by earning their first gold medal for the boys, along with the first state appearance for the boys diving team.
The girls dive team also made history with their first state appearance in team history.
The boys had their best states finish in the team’s history placing 5th overall out of 60 teams across the state at the championship meet. The girls matched their best states finish from last year placing 9th overall out of 67 teams across the state at the championship meet.
Below is a recap of the events the team competed in along with their results.
- Boys 200 yard medley relay: Matthew Purcell, Jack Blaser, Zach Schuster, and Sam Kohler place 7th overall with a time of 1:39.52
- Boys 200 yard free: Zach Schuster placed 9th overall with a time of 1:45.08
- Boys 200 yard IM: Matthew Purcell placed 4th overall with a time of 1:53.95
- Boys 500 yard free: Matthew Purcell placed 1st overall with a time of 4:35.14
- Boys 400 yard free relay: Zach Schuster, Jack Blaser, Sam Kohler, and Matthew Purcell placed 7th overall with a time of 3:19.32
- Boys 1 meter diving: Ryan Hartle placed 9th overall with a score of 311.60
- Girls 200 yard free: Elise Nardozzi placed 1st overall with a time of 1:49.09
- Girls 50 yard free: Anna Neiss placed 9th overall with a time of 24.45
- Girls 100 yard free: Elise Nardozzi placed 2nd overall with a time 50.43
- Girls 400 yard free relay: Anna Neiss, Catrina Raich, Kendall McKelvey, and Elise Nardozzi placed 3rd overall with a time of 3:35.44
- Girls 1 meter diving: Lilia MacKenzie placed 13th overall with a score of 299.75.
- The Avonworth girls swim team placed 3rd in the 400 yard.
- Elise Nardozzi also comes in 1st in the 200 yard free style.
- On the boys' team, Matt Purcell placed 1st in the 500 yard free style.
Congratulations to all!
Incredible Ride
The varsity team competed in the WPIAL Championship for the first time since 1962!
Even though the team came up short against Shady Side Academy, we are so proud of these players and coaches.
The team also made it to the quarterfinals of the PIAA Playoffs. What a season!
Thanks to the Avonworth community for all the support.
Spring Ball
Best of luck this season.
Upcoming Dates to Remember!
4/4: Primary Center Scholastic Book Fair Begins
4/6: PMEA All-State Band, Orchestra, Choir
4/11 - 4/15: Spring Vacation
4/13: Middle School Parent Network Meeting
4/29: Musical
4/30: Musical
4/30: Chase the Antelope 5K Race
5/6: Musical
5/7: Musical