REMINDER: There is no school tomorrow - Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 - due to New York’s new Lunar New Year holiday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation establishing Lunar New Year as a public school holiday in September of 2023 and this is the first time districts across the state will have the day off.
“By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great,” Hochul said at the time. “It is not just a day off from school – it is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions.”
Tomorrow, in addition to enjoying the day off, we encourage our students and community members to take a moment and reflect on the vital role Asian Americans have and continue to play in the shaping of our nation.
Due to inclement weather and hazardous road conditions this morning, Attica Central School District will be closed today - Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.
We are thrilled to recognize Todd Ford as our February Food Service All-Star! Todd is a dedicated and hardworking member of our team who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that everything runs smoothly in our Middle and High School cafeterias.
Todd’s professionalism and commitment to excellence are truly remarkable. During the 2023-2024 school year, he played a vital role in the success of the smoothie line, ensuring the creation station was well-stocked and maintained, while guiding students through the process with patience and enthusiasm. Even when faced with the occasional mishap - whether it was a blender malfunction or a dropped cup - Todd always handled things with a positive attitude and a smile.
Students look forward to seeing Todd’s friendly face when they come through the line, and he has become a steady and comforting presence in our food service program. His excitement for new equipment and innovation has been instrumental in helping us take our food service program to the next level.
Additionally, Todd’s dependable contributions to our Summer Food Service Program showcase his dedication to providing excellent service year-round. We are grateful for his hard work, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to making our food service experience a success.
Congratulations, Todd - we’re lucky to have you as part of our team and appreciate all that you do. Keep up the great work!
By the end of the session, everyone had practiced important kitchen skills like chopping, seasoning, and safely using tools like the mandoline slicer. The students tasted each other’s creations, shared tips, and felt proud of their new cooking skills. They left excited to keep experimenting with root vegetables at home!
(Photos courtesy of Jenelle Bauer, Becky Sphar and Alicia Spoth)
Remember how our food service team is celebrating potatoes throughout the month of January?
Well, our first graders got in on the action last week with a fantastic Ag in the Classroom lesson from Attica Partners for Agriculture.
Kristen Hess led our students in a lesson about how potatoes grow. Then, students prepared potatoes for some homemade chips and sent them off to the cafeteria to be baked.
The lesson really came to life with the help of some amazing local partners - a special shoutout to Fenton’s Produce for growing the potatoes, and to our own Food Service Team for using their ovens to make some delicious homemade potato chips. Our incredible FFA Members also lent a hand to make this activity a huge success!
Want to try making these chips at home? Check out the recipe at the link below and a big thanks to everyone involved in making this fun and educational experience possible!
Link: https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/oven-baked-potato-chips/
(Photos courtesy of Alicia Spoth)
Our students had an exciting half-day visit to the Batavia CTE Center today!
During their visit, students selected their top two CTE programs and spent an hour in each, engaging in hands-on activities and exploring potential career paths.
Programs like Graphic Arts, Electro-Mechanical Trades, and Auto Body were among the many options that gave students a chance to dive into real-world skills and trades.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity for students to discover their interests and begin thinking about their future goals.
(Photos courtesy of Lyndsay Herkimer)
We’re thrilled to announce our district’s Best Buddies chapter is a 2025 recipient of the Excellence in Student Services Award from the Genesee Valley School Board Association!
Best Buddies is an international, non-profit organization that creates opportunities for elementary and middle school students with disabilities to build relationships with high school-age mentors. Through planned social events, the "Buddies" gain self-advocacy skills, increase social communication, inclusivity and connections in order to feel more secure and valued.
Our Best Buddies chapter is led by Laura O’Donnell, a high school science teacher, and Joy Stoldt, a high school special education teacher.
Attica representatives were presented with the award at the GVSBA’s annual Legislative Leadership Breakfast and Excellence in Student Services Awards at Elba Central Schools this past weekend
After the awards program, superintendents and educators from across the region were able to meet with Assemblyman Steve Hawley as well as Sen. George Borrello, Assemblymember Andrea Bailey and Chris Zeltmann, a representative of Sen. Charles Schumer's Office, to advocate and discuss current and future education issues.
O’Donnell is pictured in the photo above along with Attica Superintendent Dr. Kiel Illg, right, Sen. Borrello, left, and Assemblymember Bailey, second from left.
(Photo courtesy of Alecia Kaus)
If you know our School Resource Officer Deputy Sam West, then you know he’ll HATE that we’re about to say a bunch of nice stuff about him as our latest Attica All-Star!
West was nominated by Meaghan Matuszak, our Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations, in recognition of the “incredible work he continues to do in building meaningful and supportive relationships with our students.”
“Deputy West has consistently demonstrated his commitment to our students’ well-being by fostering trust, offering guidance, and being a positive role model,” said Matuszak. “His interactions with students go beyond his official duties, making him a trusted figure within our school community. He has earned the respect of both students and staff alike by always approaching his role with warmth, understanding, and a genuine desire to help.”
Recently, Deputy West went above and beyond in a deeply touching way. Without seeking recognition, he purchased clothing and sneakers for a student in need—an action that speaks to the true essence of kindness and selflessness. This gesture not only addressed a material need but also sent a powerful message of care and compassion to a student who may have otherwise felt overlooked or unsupported. The impact of this quiet act can’t be overstated and is a reminder that, sometimes, the most meaningful support is given when we least expect it.
“Deputy West’s ability to connect with students and his dedication to their well-being extends far beyond the call of duty. His kindness and quiet generosity are making a lasting difference in the lives of our students, teaching them not just about safety, but about empathy, compassion, and community,” Matuszak added. “I can think of no one more deserving of being recognized as an Attica All-Star than Deputy West. His actions truly reflect the heart of our school and the values we strive to instill in our students.”
Congratulations, Deputy West, and thank you for all you do!
Due to inclement weather, the Regents exams that were scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 21st have been rescheduled to take place on Thursday, January 23rd.
The Regents exams that were scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 22nd have been rescheduled to take place on Friday, January 24th.
Have a good day and please stay safe.
Our Blue Devils Dispatch for January 2025 is live!
Each of our principals has created a parent newsletter specific to their school with the help of our teachers and staff - use the links below to read all three!
• Attica Elementary School January Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/ep87b
• Attica Middle School January Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/dvanq
• Attica High School January Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/9rxw1-the-weekly-update-4
DON’T FORGET about our TIES (Together Including Every Student) Bingo Night Meet and Greet tomorrow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in our High School Library!
This will be a great opportunity to meet new friends and connect with others, learn more about the TIES program and how it fosters inclusion, get answers to your questions in a friendly, relaxed setting - oh, and play some bingo, of course!
Due to the expected inclement weather conditions, Attica Central School District will be closed tomorrow - Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Enjoy your day off and stay warm, Blue Devils!
Good Morning,
The Attica Central School District Ski Club event scheduled for today January 20, 2025 is canceled due to the forecasted inclement weather conditions. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kiel Illg
Superintendent of Schools
Last night, our Fresh Connections Club was positively BUBBLING with excitement as 16 young chefs in grades 5 through 7 gathered to explore the art of soup-making!
Under the expert guidance of instructors Becky Sphar and Melissa Brooks, the students worked in teams to create four delicious soups:
• Stuffed Pepper Soup
• Olive Garden’s Pasta Fagioli
• Creamy Tomato Soup
• Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Starting with “mise en place,” our budding chefs learned the importance of prepping and organizing their ingredients like pros. From chopping veggies to browning meat, cleaning chicken, and mastering the immersion blender, their culinary skills were on full display.
The best part? A shared tasting session where everyone sampled all four soups - yum! Students even reflected on their successes and brainstormed ways to level up for next time. What a delicious way to beat the winter chill!
Stay tuned for more flavorful fun when the Fresh Connections Club next meets to embrace their roots by turning veggies into treats!
Mark your calendars, Attica, for our TIES (Together Including Every Student) chapter’s upcoming Bingo Night Meet and Greet!
This will be a great opportunity to meet new friends and connect with others, learn more about the TIES program and how it fosters inclusion, get answers to your questions in a friendly, relaxed setting - oh, and play some bingo, of course!
The Meet and Greet is set for Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in our High School Library, 3338 East Main Street Rd., Attica.
From TIES participants, volunteers, families and those interested in the TIES program, everyone is invited to attend this exciting opportunity to hang out, have fun, and be part of something amazing. We can’t wait to see you there!
Questions? Contact our TIES Coordinator, Jennifer Rautenstrauch, at jrautenstrauch@atticacsd.org.
Members of our Fresh Connections Club crêpe-ed into the new year with a sweet (and savory) meeting last week!
Under the direction of instructors Becky Sphar and Jenelle Bauer, 16 students explored the art of making crêpes—learning the ins and outs of creating both sweet and savory versions of this delicious French classic. From whipping fresh cream to slicing strawberries, and even perfecting their crêpe-rolling technique, the club buzzed with creativity and teamwork.
Students rotated through kitchen stations to:
• Make the batter
• Create cream cheese fillings
• Slice fresh fruits
• Whip up fluffy cream
Topping their crêpes with powdered sugar, syrup, and more, our students experimented with flavor combos that were as fun to make as they were to eat!
Beyond the kitchen, we dived into the history of crêpes and their French origins, fostering curiosity about global cuisines.
A huge thanks to our instructors for leading this culinary adventure and to our students for their enthusiasm and teamwork! We’re excited to see what they’ll cook up next - literally!
Give it up for Baylee Mills and Colton Spink, our Physical Education Students of the Month for December!
Baylee, a freshman, and Colton, a sophomore, were named Students of the Month for displaying positive behavior during physical education classes, showing a desire to learn new skills and putting forward their best effort 100 percent of the time.
Bravo!
SAVE THE DATE: Our Future Farmers of America chapter is hosting its 8th annual Pancake Breakfast at the North Java Fire Hall, 4274 NY-98, North Java, on Sunday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
FFA members will be serving pancakes, ham, eggs, cheesy potatoes and drinks. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under.
In addition to the breakfast, Attica Partners for Agriculture has generously sponsored a spring raffle in support of our FFA chapter.
Tickets are $10 and are being sold by FFA members. The drawing will take place at 12 p.m. Feb. 9, at the end of the pancake breakfast. You don’t need to attend the breakfast to claim your prize. For more information, contact FFA Advisor Alyssa Wright at awright@atticacsd.org.
And don’t forget to check out the accompanying image to see all the great stuff you could win!
Yesterday, our athletic director Mrs. Lisa Young took four of our student athletes - Abigail Wilkinson, Isaac Herman, Vanessa Schlau and Alyssa Elmore - to the Section V Leadership Conference at Monroe Community College where guest speaker Eric Kussin addressed attendees on the topics of mental health and sports.
Kussin was a professional sports executive with the Chicago Sky, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers before his mental health took an unexpected and rapid decline. He struggled with PTSD, anxiety and depression for several years before getting a handle on things. Kussin now speaks across the globe about how to navigate the stress, anxiety and trauma that all people experience.
“He spoke about his experiences and challenges and provided the student athletes with ways to identify when their mental wellness is not OK,” said Clark. “This initiative goes along with the #SameHere the global mental health movement that is providing awareness for mental health.”
Attention, Attica: All after school activities are cancelled for today - Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 - due to the current and forecasted inclement weather.
