Avon Local Schools June 2023
June 2023
Superintendent's message
The end is near!
The Class of 2023 are now alumni of Avon High School. Thank you students, staff and families for another successful Commencement (June 1) as we say farewell and a new chapter begins for our talented and amazing students.
It's hard to believe the last day of school is Wednesday. We've accomplished many great things this year Eagles and we look forward to a relaxing and fun summer as we prepare for next school year.
The theme for the 2022-2023 school year was #AvonRelationshipsMatter. Throughout the year we saw many old and new relationships grow. In and outside the classroom, our Eagles continue to come together and it's truly special to watch. There are so many examples such as earlier this year Avon Heritage Student Council held a Knockout Hurricane Ian Fundraiser for the students/staff at Spring Creek Elementary School in Bonita Springs, Florida. Avon Heritage chose the school based on a map that showed highly affected areas from the hurricane. The funds raised were used to purchase and donate outdoor games and activities for the Spring Creek students. Spring Creek Elementary School created a special "thank you" video which was recently shared at Heritage. To view the video, click here. Avon relationships matter here, and all over the country. Great job!
Reminder to follow our new Avon Local Schools Facebook page. It's a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings from around our district.
As always, if there are any questions/concerns, please call or email.
I hope you all have a wonderful and safe summer. See you back in August!
Soar Eagles!
Sincerely,
Ben Hodge
June 7: Last day of school
June 13: BOE meeting at 6 p.m.
June 27: BOE meeting at 6 p.m.
July 18: BOE meeting at 6 p.m.
Aug. 17: First day of school (grades 1-12)
Aug. 21: First day of school (PreK-K)
Aug. 23: BOE meeting at 6 p.m.
For a complete list of district events, click here.
Education, military signing ceremony
Avon High School recently held its first combined education and military Signing Day. As often done when student athletes commit to compete at the college level, Avon recognized students for their commitment to serve as future educators and serve our country in the U.S. military.
Superintendent Ben Hodge welcomed students, staff and families during the special ceremony and thanked the 11 students (one student was unable to attend) on stage at the Performing Arts Center for their willingness to serve and dedicate their lives to making our country safe and a better place for our communities, and especially our children. He noted that the education field has become tougher, as the State of Ohio is down 40 percent in producing education leaders out of our universities.
In addition to having their parents/family members join the students on stage for the official signing, the students also acknowledged a special Avon educator/staff member who made a difference in their life and made them want to become an educator and/or join the military.
Congratulations to the students listed below. Best of luck!
Nadia Benninghofen will be attending Bowling Green State University to major in middle childhood education. She hopes to teach middle school math and science.
Jason Cooney will be attending Niagara University to major in teaching English as a second language.
Leah Gaffney will be attending Cuyahoga Community College to major in early childhood education. She hopes to teach Kindergarten through third-grade students.
Mason Fitch will be attending Ohio University to major in business pre-law while participating in ROTC. He hopes to become a U.S. Army lawyer.
Noah Kehl will be attending The Ohio State University to major in middle childhood education with a focus on science and math.
Cherry Kocsis will be attending Bowling Green State University to major in inclusive early childhood education. They hope to teach Kindergarten.
Jessica Przybysz will be attending the University of Kentucky to major in music education. She hopes to teach elementary or high school band.
Sean Roesch will be attending the University of Cincinnati to major in middle childhood education. He hopes to teach ninth-grade history.
Autumn Shillinger will be attending Tiffin University to major in special education. She hopes to become a special education teacher in an elementary school.
Hayden Shmelter will be attending Ashland University through Lorain County Community College to major in integrated Social Studies education grades 7-12. He would love to teach high school and maybe even come back here to teach at AHS.
Max Summers will be attending Miami University to major in history education. He plans to teach high school and would love to come back to AHS.
Tiana Workman will be attending Cleveland State University to major in choral music education. Tiana hopes to return to AHS to share her passion for music with the students of Avon.
AMS choir, orchestra earn top honors
Congratulations to our Avon Middle School eighth-grade choir and orchestra students who competed in the Music in the Parks Festival last month at Cedar Point. The choir earned First Place place with an Excellent rating. The orchestra earned First Place with a Superior rating.
They were also recognized with Best Overall Junior High Orchestra. Most importantly, the Avon Middle School Choir and Orchestra were recognized with the highest honor any school can receive - the Esprit de Corps trophy!
The Esprit de Corps is awarded to the school that best exhibits exemplary decorum, professionalism, respectful conduct, and excellent presentation.
Congratulations to our students and directors Mrs. Penfound and Mrs. Haloway.
Heritage Young Authors, Storybook Stroll events
It’s been all about books for the past few weeks at Avon Heritage Elementary School. The first event was the annual Young Authors project which afforded the students the opportunity to write and illustrate their own books. The project culminated with the Youth Authors Open House and guest author assemblies. National author Emma Carlson Berne was invited to present at several virtual and in-person school assemblies, as well as sign copies of her books during the Open House. Berne is the author of dozens of children's fiction and nonfiction books including “Never Let You Go”, the “Star Wars Forces of Destiny” series, the “Beforever” series from American Girl Publishing, the “Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans” series, and the “Laugh Your Socks Off! World’s Best (and Worst) Jokes” series.
"It's a really big project (Young Authors) for students of this age group (grades 3-5)," said Melanie Whiting, district gifted coordinator. "They get to be creative and it's very independent. They really have to take ownership of it and to see it actually all the way through. I really think that is a great feat and one of the reasons we do the assemblies and open house to reward them for their efforts."
Berne was also very impressed with the students' creativity and energy they brought to their stories and illustrations.
The funding for this event is made possible through a grant from the Avon Schools Educational Endowment Fund.
The second book project at Avon Heritage was the official opening of the school's new Storybook Stroll. The Storybook Stroll, extended walking path, and bird sanctuary project were created thanks to grants from the Avon Schools Educational Endowment Fund ($2,300 for the Storybook Stroll). A Lorain County Public Health (LCPH) Healthy Places grant ($10,000) covered the path extension, benches, and promotional materials for the Grand Opening. The project was also completed with the generous help and support from VFW Post 7035 and the Avon Eagles Garden Club.
The story stands were built by Avon High School Skilled Trades students with their teacher Paul Eldridge; and were installed by Matt Mylechraine, Avon Local Schools buildings and grounds supervisor, and our district maintenance team.
The first story was "Maybe" by Kobi Yamada-- "a story about the endless potential in all of us" --in honor of the school's character asset theme for May, Empowerment. A new story will be installed on the first Friday of each month for the first year. The Storybook Stroll will generally be open to classes during the school day and open to the community outside of school hours. The entire walk is 1/4 mile.
Last day of school printable signs
The district has created Last Day of School signs (8 1/2 x 11 paper landscape) to help capture the joy and excitement surrounding the big day. Share your photos on social media using #AvonLastDay2023 or email news@avoneagles.org. To download a sign, click here.
Shine bright at GLOW
It's GLOW time! Summer Pop Up Event 2nd Annual GLOW!
Where: Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet Stadium
When: Thursday, June 29 from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m.
Cost: $25 per K-8 runner/accompanying adults welcomed (free!) to participate, but not required.
Adults are welcome to participate in the 1 Mile Run, jumps and/or relays.
Wear your neon, run, glow, and play games. Anticipated visit from Smooth Rider Smoothies.
Goodie bag and glow stick included for all under the moon and stars!
To register, click here.
We're hiring!
We have several positions available within our district, with many offering flexible hours. For more information, click here.
