Principals' Newsletter
From Christie DeWald, Jenn Miller, and Ryan Wagner
February 5, 2024
ACS Strategic Planning Goals
The district will exemplify a culture of innovative thinking.
All students will have personalized learning pathways that foster independence and career exploration.
All students will demonstrate social emotional skills and cultural awareness.
UPK-12 Information and Updates
Important Dates:
- February 7th: “What Parents Need to Know” Family Engagement Night (see details below)
- February 9th: Two-hour late arrival day
- February 19th-23rd: President's Recess (no school)
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. Please feel free to call or email us:
Ryan Wagner (9-12) rwagner@avoncsd.org (585) 226-2455 extension 1719
Jennifer Miller (5-8) jmiller@avoncsd.org (585) 226-2455 extension 1430
Christie DeWald (UPK-4) cdewald@avoncsd.org (585) 226-2455 extension 1108
UPK-4 Information
Kindness Week:
Thank you to our mental health team for organizing our school wide Kindness Week (Jan 22-26). Our students participated in various learning and spirit activities aligned with kindness. Classes were able to earn points for various ways they showed being kind. Here is a kindness quilt that was made during Kindness Week.
“Soup”er Bowl Challenge:
The Elementary School Student Council presents the “Soup”er Bowl Challenge. This will take place February 5-9 in which students can bring a canned food item to be donated to the Avon Food Pantry. Students will place the food item in the box of the team they think will win the Super Bowl.
Electronic Devices:
We have seen an increase in students wearing electronic devices to school. Specifically these devices are watches that allow students to make calls, communicate with friends, use the device as a calculator, etc. We have also seen an increase in students with cell phones out during the instructional day. I kindly ask that students refrain from bringing cell phone and electronic devices to school. If they are necessary for communication after school hours, they must be turned off and put away during the school hours. In June 2022, our Board of Education adopted our district Code of Conduct which an expert states:
Electronic devices are to be turned off and put away during all instructional periods.
We find electronic devices can be disruptive to our normal school routines and learning. Students have taken calls/messages during instruction and have communicated different transportation plans that the office was not aware from receiving a call or message. I also worry about the potential for the device to be lost if it falls off while playing outside or any other time during the day. If a parent needs to get in touch with a student, our office is available for calls from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. everyday. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
School Day:
Reminder, our school day starts at 8:50 a.m. Please make every effort to get students here at 8:50 a.m. so that teachers can begin the exciting day of teaching and learning. If a student is entering late, they must be signed in with the reason on the sheet in the front entry.
Roller Skating:
Our first and second graders enjoyed an afternoon of roller skating. Their smiles were worth a thousand words.
Grades 5-8 Information
Artist of the Month: “Artist of the Month” is an award that is earned by showing good character (as well as great effort and skill) in Ms. Howard’s art classes. Each month, a character trait is chosen. January’s traits are gratitude and kindness. The grade level recipients of this award are as follows: Grade 5 (Brayden Coyne and Khloe Ziminski), Grade 6 (Alieah Barber and Juliana Kershner) and Grade 7 (Wyatt Baker, Alexis Bramble, Liam Albert, and Emilia McMahan).
Career Focused Lunch and Learn Session (Grades 7 & 8): The next “Lunch and Learn” session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7th. This event is open to 7th and 8th grade students during their scheduled lunch period. Jason Perry (Senior Producer) will be our online presenter via Pathful Connect. Mr. Perry will be speaking to students about his filming and editing career as a Senior Producer. Students will learn about the day in life of a senior producer. Information being relayed will include: working with production team and clients to plan projects, scheduling and script development, filming and editing process, and the final production. Mr. Perry will also share the educational experience that led him to his profession and the skills and abilities that are important to have for this job.
Grades 5 and 6 Fun Night:The Middle School Student Council is sponsoring a fifth and sixth grade fun night on Friday, February 9th from 5:00 until 6:30 pm in the Middle School Gymnasium. Popcorn, pizza, and drinks will be served. Students will be able to participate in a variety of activities. A nurse will be on site and Avon Teachers will be supervising the event.
Grades 7 and 8 Dance: The Middle School Student Council is sponsoring a seventh and eighth grade dance on Friday, February 9th from 7:00 until 9:00 pm in the Middle School Gymnasium. Popcorn, pizza, and drinks will be served. A nurse will be on site and Avon Teachers will be supervising the event.
Avon Middle School Yearbooks Are Now On Sale!
Grades 9-12
Student Success: We are half way through the school year! It has been a great first semester filled with academic and extracurricular accomplishments from our hard working students. As we start the second semester, here are some things students can do to be successful the second semester:
- Be on time and in attendance every day. Students should be in class by 7:50 AM.
- Take advantage of extra help from teachers. Teachers are here to help during advisement after school from 2:30-3:00 and we also offer a tutoring center that runs from 3:00-4:00 Tuesday - Thursday. Students can sign up to attend outside of Mrs. Newton's room, room 701.
- We offer a lot of extracurricular opportunities. Research overwhelmingly supports student participation in extracurricular activities has a positive impact on academic achievement.
- Track assignments and grades on Google Classroom and SchoolTool. Students also have a planner that they should be using to record upcoming assignments daily.
I hope these are helpful tips for success. We look forward to a great second half of the year!
Student Resources
Avon Middle and High School Tutoring
Avon is offering after school tutoring again. Please see the information below...
Tutors: Avon Middle and High School Teachers
Location: Avon HS Library
Time: 3:05 - 4:05 PM
Days of the Week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Transportation: Parent pick up at the High School Main Entrance
Note: Students must sign in and out with Mrs. Newton daily
Thank you for your interest in supporting your child's learning. If you have further questions please contact me at 226-2455 ext. 1701 or lnewton@avoncsd.org.
Laurie Newton
MHS Coordinator
Parent Resources
Family Engagement
Family Engagement: the next Family Engagement event is scheduled for February 7, 2023 at the Avon MS Library. Livingston County Sheriff and Livonia School Resource Officer will be presenting on “What Parents Need to Know” regarding online safety and phone use. Please see the attachment below. Please pre-register so assist in appropriate staffing and food ordering. Thank you!
Avon Solar Eclipse Viewing Event
On April 8, 2024, ACS is partnering with the community to host a solar eclipse viewing event. Please use the link below for information and to register for the event.
SchoolTool Parent Portal
Avon Central Schools
DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT
Develop life long learners and responsible citizens equipped to prosper in the global society.
VISION STATEMENT
Avon Central School District will foster an environment where all students will compete globally through the collaborative efforts of the Board of Education, school personnel, parents, community members and students.
Website: https://www.avoncsd.org/
Location: 245 Clinton Street, Avon, NY 14414, USA
Phone: 585-226-2455
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonnycsd#