Avonworth School District News
February 2021
February is Black History Month
Primary GATE Students Honor Black Americans
Second Grade Students Study Civil Rights Heroes
Students in second grade have also been celebrating Black History Month. Students have learned the importance of celebrating black history month and have participated in a black history month book study.
Our second-grade students thought that it was important to share our learning with our community. Please enjoy as second-grade students answer some questions they thought our community might have regarding Black History Month and the Civil Rights Movement.
A Read-Aloud for Each Day in February to Celebrate Black History Month
Through this project, they created a Black History Month Calendar with a read-aloud for each day of the month. Mrs. Ives conducted each read-aloud. Mrs. Ives stated, "Each book is wonderful and has introduced me to some fascinating people in history. However, some books discuss themes and topics that may need further explanation for context and understanding depending on your child's age. I advise you to take a close look at each book before deciding it is a good fit for your family."
Introduction Video
Black History Month Read Aloud Calendar
**After opening the calendar, click on a book to open the read-aloud link. If a book does not open a read-aloud, that read-aloud has not been completed yet. Check back soon!**
Fifth Grade Students Study Famous African Americans
Students Learn About Black Leaders in the Field of Computer Science
Black History Month Celebrated by Creating Art
8th Grade ELA Civics Unit: Overcoming Adversity
Students have selected an individual, event, or organization representing the theme of Overcoming Adversity and will present their topic in a virtual museum exhibit next month. Mr. Robert Stakeley, Affiliates Program Manager for the Heinz History Center, led a workshop with students to develop their docent-style videos and also guided how to select interesting artifacts for the exhibit.
Students also welcomed two guest speakers to share their personal experiences with racial inequality and overcome adversity in the Pittsburgh area. Allegheny County Council Representative Mrs. Liv Bennett, and the retired University of Pittsburgh Professor, Dr. Beverly Harris-Schenz, joined students for a discussion moderated by Film Pittsburgh's Teen Screen program. As part of their program, students also viewed two award-winning short films about overcoming adversity and racial equality.
The unit has offered students the opportunity to explore many of the issues currently being discussed in our nation. Students read articles, watched video clips, and analyzed primary sources about topics such as reparations, police reform, LGBTQ rights, red-lining, white privilege, gentrification, equal pay, and racial profiling.
Eighth Graders Study The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
Artists of Color Celebrated in High School Fine Arts
A Look at Other Happenings Across the District
Avonworth Elementary School Creates Cards for Meals on Wheels
Magic Tricks or Magnetic Forces?
Avonworth High School Mock Trial Team Scores a Win!
Students from Genocide Studies Interview Local Holocaust Survivor
In recalling his life’s experiences, Mr. Samet remarked that one of the most important keys to his and his family’s survival was their resilience and the fact that despite insurmountable odds, they found a way to survive. When asked about the lesson he would like to impart on today's youth, Mr. Samet, without hesitation, commented how important it is to embrace life and not grow up too quickly. As Mr. Samet told of his experiences during the Holocaust, he reflected on how his youth had been stolen and that he was deprived of a childhood due to his family’s forced relocation into a concentration camp at the age of six.
Despite his youth's traumatic circumstances, Mr. Samet has not lost his sense of humor or his love of life. Mr. Samet’s interview will be compiled together with five separate interviews from other survivors and school districts in the region to recognize Yom HaShoah and the six million Jews who were lost: six million Jews, six candles of remembrance, six answers to questions. Information related to the program can be found through the Pittsburgh Holocaust Center’s website.
Student and Staff Recognition
AES Students Take First Place in Calcu-Solve Math Competition
Honorable Mention for AES Students in Shakespeare Monologue Contest
Champions Challenge
Mrs. Stacy Hart and Mrs. Melissa Reagle Recognized as PSMLA Global Educators
Congratulations PSMLA Global Educators Stacy Hart and Melissa Reagle! PSMLA Global Educators have recognized Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Reagle for their commitment to furthering interculturality and global competence in their students.
Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Reagle have distinguished themselves by establishing the PSMLA Global Scholars program at Avonworth High School and inspiring and challenging students to become PSMLA Global Scholars Graduates for at least 2 consecutive years. For their efforts and dedication, PSMLA has awarded Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Reagle the PSMLA Global Educator Certificate. Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Reagle are two of seventeen educators in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to earn this recognition.
Global Scholar Program representatives Jan Hostler Stewart, D.Ed., and Karen Belcastro stated, "In the current global pandemic, the importance of the interconnectedness and interdependence of countries in the world has become ever more evident. While educators provide opportunities for students to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and personally and provide learning scenarios that inspire and challenge, they also prepare students to lead and contribute on local, state, national, and global levels. In these unusual times of alternating between face-to-face, hybrid, and remote learning, Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Reagle have accepted the additional challenge of adapting their instructional and learning strategies to guide students through the PSMLA Global Scholars program process."
Avnworth Senior Jake Abbott Recognized as one of the Top Automotive Technology Students in the State
Avonworth Students Recognized as Students of the Month at A.W. Beattie Career Center
Avonworth Students Named 2021 National Technical Honors Society Nominees
Congratulations to the following Avonworth students for being named 2021 National Technical Honors Society Nominees.
- Riley Carroll HNS
- Stephanie Cunningham HNS
- Colin McPhearson CST
- Jermaine Woods CBC
What's Happening in Athletics
Avonworth Bowler Qualifies for Regional Championship
Girls' Varsity Basketball to Face Freedom in First Round of WPIAL Playoffs
Boys' Varsity Basketball Prepares for WPIAL Playoffs
Ryan Hartle Makes Swimming/Diving History
Announcements
Join us for An Evening with Candi Castleberry Singleton on Thursday, March 18 from 7 - 8 PM
Please use the link below to access more information. Information to register is also included in the link below. We hope to see you there!
2021-2022 Kindergarten Registration is Open
Kindergarten Registration Information
If you have any questions, please contact the Primary Center office at 412-366-7171.
For Your Calendar
- March 1 - Athletic Committee Meeting, 6:30 PM
- March 1 - Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting, 7:00 PM
- March 1 - School Board Work Session, 7:30 PM
- March 2 - Read Across America Day
- March 5 - Schools Closed
- March 8 - School Board Meeting, 7:30 PM
- March 14 - Daylight Savings Time Begins @ 2:00 AM
- March 29-April 2 - Spring Vacation, Schools Closed
- April 5 - Schools in Session