Avonworth School District News
January 2023
Nation's First Wisdom Squads Meet at Avonworth Primary Center
It was an exciting day at Avonworth Primary Center when more than 100 students from schools throughout Allegheny County came together for a Pittsburgh Wisdom Corridor event!
Each school has created (or is creating) their own "Wisdom Corridor" filled with wisdom found within their own school community thanks to the generous support of the Grable Foundation and Project FUEL.
Thank you to Deepak Ramola, founder of Project FUEL, and Remake Learning for supporting our students as they work together to bring this incredible project to life.
Click here to read more about this fantastic event!
Enjoy a Night at the Museum
This winter, students in 8th grade ELA/Civics have been collaborating with the Heinz History Center to create projects that focus on the thematic idea of Overcoming Adversity. Their projects connect with multiple exhibits at the museum: From Slavery to Freedom, Western Pennsylvania Sports, Innovators, and Special Collections. Students considered historical struggles for Civil Rights and historical instances of prejudice and discrimination and then linked those to contemporary people, events, and organizations.
In January, students visited the museum to see the exhibits. Since that visit, the students have been engaging in the research process, composing an essay based on their research, creating a related piece of art, and practicing their presentation skills. Additionally, several docents from the museum will be working with the students to help them learn the communication skills needed in order to be effective museum docents. Students also learned from several guest speakers and short films about personal experiences with overcoming adversity.
After all of this preparation, students will be ready for their public exhibition at the Heinz History Center on Friday, February 24, 2023. That night, the museum will open its doors for an exclusive Avonworth community event from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. During that time, our students will serve as expert docents for their project topics and artwork.
You are cordially invited to the Heinz History Center to take part in this unique student-led event on Friday, February 24, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. On that evening, admission to the History Center is complimentary for all Avonworth community guests.
The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street in the Strip District. While admission to the museum this evening is complimentary, regular downtown parking fees will apply.
We hope that you can join us for Avonworth’s “Night at the Museum” on Friday, February 24, 2023.
Native American Visits Second Grade
Second graders had a special visitor as part of their Wit and Wisdom module.
Tylar Melfi is a descendant of the Deer Clan and Erie/Seneca and Kiowa tribes from the Salamanca, New York Senecas. He stopped by the APC classrooms to talk about Native American culture and give the students a chance for some hands-on learning.
Students touched some animal furs and even got to take part in a traditional dance!
The Seneca were the largest of six Native American nations. Today the Seneca Nation has a total enrolled population of over 8,000 citizens.
A Beautiful Gift
Avonworth High School's Lydija Amayo has a senior project that is gaining ground and the word is spreading throughout the region.
Amayo has been named a Kidsburgh Hero for her project called The Beautiful Gift. She is collecting soccer gear for children in her family's native Peru. Her love of the game of soccer, which Peruvians call the beautiful game, inspired Amayo to help those who are not as fortunate as her.
To learn more and get involved, check out this Kidsburgh article that features Amayo and details her "Beautiful Gift".
Amayo's project is also featured in PGH Soccer Now podcast. Click here to listen.
Journalism Students Compete Statewide
Sophomore Emma Noss and junior Zion Schenk have earned a trip to Penn State Main Campus at the end of March to compete in the PA School Press State Journalism Championships. Both Avonews contributors won regional Journalism competitions at Point Park's Fall Media Day in November.
Emma Noss will compete against 7 other regional winners in a newspaper news story competition while Zion Schenk will compete in the poetry competition. Emma will attend a professional press conference on campus and need to create a news story on her notes within an hour. Zion will have a prompt sheet of facts and need to create an original poem within an hour.
Both Emma and Zion won the regional competition against students from a variety of locals schools including Freedom and North Allegheny. Zion is the 2nd ever winner from Avonworth in the Literary Magazine Poetry category, following current co-editor in chief Laurel Purcell winning the category last year. Emma continues a long tradition of Avonews staff members winning newspaper categories, including co-editor-in-chief Matthew Purcell winning the editorial category at last year's Point Park competition.
You can follow their practice and the competition in March through Instagram @official_Avonews, Facebook @avonews.avonworth, Twitter @avonewsonline and on the website Avonewsonline.org.
Chinese Language Class Celebrates the Year of the Rabbit
In celebration, Avonworth's Chinese language class went to the University of Pittsburgh to visit the East Asian Library. The class also went to Hokkaido Seafood Buffet to eat Chinese food to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
Fun fact: if you were born in 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, or 1939, you would be the rabbit!
According to Chinese astrology, Rabbits are predicted to be gentle, quiet, elegant, and alert as well as quick, skillful, kind, patient, and very responsible, sometimes reluctant to reveal their minds to others and have a tendency to escape reality, but always faithful to those around them.
Coffee and Conversation
Join Dr. Jeff Hadley, Avonworth Superintendent, and Dr. Jillian Bichsel, Avonworth Assistant Superintendent, for Coffee and Conversation on Thursday, February 2nd in the Central Administration Boardroom at 7:30 AM.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Turn to Care Solace
Happy 2023 to everyone at Avonworth School District. We look forward to a successful year.
This year, we encourage you to show self-compassion as you think of your New Year's Resolutions. When we show compassion for ourselves, we allow space for changes, mistakes, or missteps and we open ourselves up to future possibilities. Showing self-compassion is a healthy way to start a successful and happy 2023.
We also encourage you to reflect on this past year. How have you changed from the beginning of 2022 to now? What did you enjoy about 2022? Click here for some great questions to ask yourself as you reflect.
Often, we need to lean on others to help us with our goals and aspirations.
If you need mental health or substance use support, Care Solace is a complementary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of circumstance.
Avonworth School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students and their family members.
If you or a family member are looking for help and would like to use Care Solace to find a provider:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
- Visit caresolace.com/avonworth and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
'Lopes Baseball Hires New Head Coach
The team is excited to get started under his vision and leadership!
Senior Night Celebrations
Kindergarten Registration for the 2023-2024 School Year - Now Open
Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year is NOW OPEN!
Click for more information and access to the registration packet.
Also, join us for Kindergarten Round Up 2023 on Thursday, March 9th, at the APC Cafeteria!
Save the Date
2/6: School Board Work Session Meeting
2/8: AMS Parent Network Meeting - Collaboration Center - 7pm
2/13: Regular Session of School Board Meeting - Avonworth Primary Center
2/20: NO SCHOOL for students - Act 80 Day
2/22: End of 2nd trimester at APC
2/27: APC Parent Teacher Conferences Week