Attica Central School District

Shout out to Stephanie Wilson, Amanda George, Jakk Chaplin and John Perl for their eclipse photo submissions! Didn’t get a chance to snap a shot? Not to worry, Attica’s next total solar eclipse is only 44,027 (ish) days away!

Just a reminder, Blue Devils - our ‘Capital Project 2024’ webpage is your one-stop shop for information about our capital project proposal! This page is chock full of important information about our proposal including background on the planning process, how we’ve gathered input from stakeholder groups, description of proposed project elements, financial information, timelines and a schedule of upcoming informational meetings at which residents can learn more about the project. These accompanying informational filers, which will also be running in this weekend’s edition of the Attica Penny Saver, provides a good overview of the work that would be done as part of the project, should district voters approve it on May 21. Use the link below to access the page. Link: https://www.atticacsd.org/page/capital

ATTENTION ATTICA: The location of our Thursday, April 11 Board of Education meeting has changed from the High School Library to the Performing Arts Center. The meeting will still begin at 7 p.m.

LOCATION CHANGE: Due to the All-County Music Festival taking place in our District Auditorium this Friday, April 12, we will be moving our UPK lottery to our Elementary School Multipurpose Room at 31 Prospect St. The lottery will still take place Friday, April 12 at 3:30 p.m. Attendance is not required, but people are welcome to attend. Thank you!

We’ve added a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document to our ‘Capital Project 2024’ webpage. This FAQ section addresses a number of common questions about our proposed capital project that district residents will vote on May 21 including how the project will be financed, how state aid reimbursement works and what happens if residents vote the project down. Click on the link below to view the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document on our website. Link: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2319/ACSD/4167767/2024_Capital_Project_FAQ_s.pdf

Don’t miss April's Total Body Workouts classes! These classes are FREE and open to ALL staff and community members. Please see the attached form for available sessions. Use the link below to sign up or send an email to Laura O’Donnell at lodonnell@atticacsd.org. Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0Vj7VksHfuI235NpiHPINZnpJ_jfUnTq4v_6Jnh30KBCNmw/viewform

Laura O’Donnell, a science teacher at Attica High School, is our newest Attica All-Star! O’Donnell was nominated for this recognition by her building principal, Josh Audsley. “Laura is an amazing teacher who works extremely well with her colleagues, students and administration,” said Audsley. “She cares deeply about her students, the school community and is passionate about science and teaching. Laura does a great job of demystifying complicated sciences for her students and is a constant force for good here at Attica Central Schools. We’re extremely lucky to have her!” O’Donnell has been teaching at Attica for 19 years - mostly as a biology teacher - but is also certified in chemistry and Earth science. She’s the Class of 2027 co-advisor, has served as a ski club advisor for three years and, in 2017, was named a New York State Master Teacher following a rigorous application and review process. Now a Master Teacher Emeritus, examples of O’Donnell’s past work include leading a science cohort through Genesee Valley BOCES during which she worked with other teachers to help unpack and understand new science standards and develop lesson plans, partnering with the University of Buffalo as part of the Western New York Genetics in Research Partnership where she leads an interactive project in basic genome analysis and bioinformatics with students and sitting on a subcommittee along with fellow Master Teachers to explore ways to encourage college student to pursue careers in teaching and science. Congratulations, Laura! Nominees for future Attica All-Star recognitions can be submitted to your building administrator or direct supervisor. Nominees can be any district employee that goes beyond the usual scope of their duties and whose efforts have a positive impact on students and the district. Nominees will be considered by the district’s leadership team and recipients will be announced every few weeks.

A HUGE thank you to the members of the Buffalo Sabres organization who came out this week to work with our elementary school students during physical education class! The Sabres group introduced new hockey skills and games to our 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders who were also given Sabres t-shirts and a FREE ticket to an upcoming game - so cool! Attica Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher Alyssa Allein set up the special event while physical education teachers Shawn Fromwiller and Anthony Ianni assisted during classes. (Photos courtesy of Shawn Fromwiller)

Mrs. Carrie Willey’s pre-kindergarten students are ready for the eclipse after making their own glasses to safely view the once-in-a-lifetime celestial event on April 8! (Photo courtesy of Carrie Willey)

If you’ve been in the High School lobby recently, you’ve probably noticed that the once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse came a little early, thanks to Ms. Steves' Studio In Art students! Last week, students used the power of negative shape and the smudginess of chalk to create their one-of-a-kind artworks. Together, these pieces are truly a total eclipse of the art! (Photos courtesy of Laura Steves)

Allison Platten will lead three Barre Above classes in the High School Cafeteria, 3338 East Main Street Rd., Attica, in April. Barre Above is a full body, low-impact workout, with emphasis on the lower body and core. It’s a fusion of ballet, pilates, yoga and strength training designed for a wide range of fitness levels, ages and bodies. Classes are scheduled for April 9, 16 and 23 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. These classes are free for Attica staff and community members. You must be 18 years old to register. A yoga mat is suggested. Sign up at the link below. Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffsHODqeKU66O8krcJXY8vNORFp2L40pkOoJTjPyFAWbtmKw/viewform

We’ve created an interactive map that breaks down the major elements of our proposed capital project. The map allows users to click on the project element they’re interested in - the new playground at Attica Elementary School for example - then brings them to a collection of artist’s renderings or architectural plans that show the element in greater detail. We encourage you to go take a look at the map at the link below. We think it’s a great way for our district residents to get a better feel for the capital project proposal they’ll be voting on May 21. Link: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2319/ACSD/4096746/Capital_Project_2024.pdf

Spotted this guy on our Elementary School security cameras this morning - he must be hopping by as he prepares for Easter!

Congratulations to our 20 (!) student musicians selected to perform at Pavilion High School this past weekend at the Genesee-Wyoming Music Educators Association’s All-County I Festival! Students headed to Pavilion Friday, March 22 for rehearsals and again Saturday, March 23 before their performance Saturday afternoon. The March 23 concert featured performances by the Elementary Chorus, Jr. High Band and High School Chorus. Members of the Elementary Chorus were selected based on teacher recommendations while members of the Jr. High Band and High School Chorus were selected following an audition that included the performance of a prepared solo, scales (for instrumentalists) and sight reading. Attica students selected for one of these prestigious ensembles were: Elementary Chorus (5th and 6th Grade) • Hudson Sphar (soprano) • Alexandria Landphair (soprano) • Emily Woloszyn (soprano) • Dylan Williams (soprano) • Lucia Eddy (soprano) • Nathan Burns (alto) • Jayci Bauer (alto) • Logan Brueckman (alto) • Caden Morrison (alto) • Emilia Wallace (alto) Jr. High Band (7th and 8th Grade) • Hope Anetrini (flute) • Nola Clark (trumpet) • Riley Gestwick (trumpet) • William Gouinlock (baritone) • Madelyn Saxton (alto saxophone) High School Chorus (Grades 9-12) • Kara Hassenfratz (soprano) • Kate Metzger (alto) • Leah Ford (alto) • Sophia Biniaszewski (alto) • Peyton Miller (alto) (Photos courtesy of Julie Daley, Stephanie Gietler and Austin Matson)

Please see the following message from Superintendent Dr. Kiel Illg: After careful consideration and consultation with peers, emergency management services, administration and our Board of Education, I have made the decision to close schools on Monday, April 8, 2024 due to the Solar Eclipse. Given the unique circumstances being created by the Solar Eclipse (ie. including the challenges of anticipated traffic issues and concerns of the lack of availability of emergency services), our availability of "snow days/emergency closure days" built into our calendar and our ongoing review of the calendar we have decided to make the instructional changes at this time. I understand that this change may require adjustments for students, parents, and staff members, and we will work diligently to communicate this decision effectively beginning today. I am hopeful that announcing this decision now will provide families and our employees more appropriate time to plan for the change of the instructional calendar. Additionally, there will be no activities or events and all buildings/offices will be closed. I hope you enjoy the day with your family, friends and loved ones. Thank you, Kiel Illg, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools

DON’T FORGET! District officials will be giving a presentation on our capital project proposal tonight at the Java Town Hall, 4222 Rt. 98, North Java, starting at 6 p.m. There will also be an opportunity for questions after the presentation. For more information about our proposed capital project, visit our website at the link below. Link: https://www.atticacsd.org/page/capital

PLEASE SHARE: Tomorrow - Wednesday, March 27 - every Attica staff member student in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade will receive 1 pair of eclipse-viewing glasses. These glasses were provided to our district by Wyoming County Tourism and will be needed to safely view the sun during the April 8 eclipse at any time other than totality. Distribution of these glasses is being coordinated by our building principals. To secure additional pairs of eclipse glasses, refer to Wyoming County Tourism’s FAQ section for the April 8 eclipse at the link below. Link: GoWyomingCountyNY.com/solar-eclipse-2024

District residents will have another chance to learn about our proposed capital project tomorrow night! Superintendent Dr. Kiel Illg and Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations Meaghan Matuszak will be giving a presentation on our proposal at the Java Town Hall, 4222 Rt. 98, North Java, starting at 6 p.m. There will also be an opportunity for questions, so come on out and learn all about our proposal! For more information about our proposed capital project, visit our website at the link below. Link: https://www.atticacsd.org/page/capital

Attica students joined 600 others from 31 school districts across Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties at Genesee Community College last week for GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare, a career exploration expo designed to connect students with local employers in the healthcare industry. Launched in 2023, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare connected students to more than 200 representatives from 57 companies, municipal agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions. In addition to meeting with representatives from local employers, every student participated in a pair of self-selected workshops with a variety of healthcare careers led by healthcare and emergency response professionals. Sessions covered careers in EMS, pharmacy, healthcare administration, physical therapy, healthy living, physicians/residents, holistic medicine, radiology/sonography/ultrasound, mental health and social work, research science, nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner, surgery and vet technician.

We were at GCC yesterday for Tech Wars and look who we spotted hanging on the wall - former Attica girls volleyball, basketball and softball coach Margaret ‘Peg’ Sisson! Peg was inducted into GCC’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 and Attica’s Athletic Hall of Fame just last year.