Attica Central School District

Elementary and middle school students took a field trip to the city last week, taking in a concert by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra before touring some of the Memorial Art Gallery’s artworks and exhibitions. The theme for RPO’s concert, “Music - The Ultimate Storyteller,” centered on the power of music to convey a narrative without the need for words and featured selections about great tales of conflict, romance and tragedy. At The MAG, students learned about pieces in the museum’s ancient artworks collection, then headed to the “Composing Color” exhibit featuring pieces by American artist Alma Thomas, whose exuberant and colorful form of abstract painting took inspiration from nature, the cosmos and music. A great day of art and music for our students!

Attica students were among the more than 650 from more than 30 school districts across the Genesee-Livingston-Orleans-Wyoming region who traveled to Genesee Community College earlier this week for the third annual GLOW with Your Hands Healthcare career exploration event. Geared toward healthcare-related professions, the expo was in the same vein of a similarly-named event held at the Genesee County Fairgrounds in September, which focused on local career opportunities in the skilled trades. This year’s event brought to GCC more than 60 exhibitors who presented on various sectors of the healthcare industry including hospitals and health systems, nursing, mental health, social services and first responders as well as educational pathways into healthcare through BOCES, local colleges and universities. This is always a great event for our students - healthcare is such a growth industry nationally and locally and we’re thrilled they were able to pick the brains of so many fantastic professionals.

PHEW! What a couple of days it’s been at Attica Elementary! First we had the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition’s Mobile Dairy Experience kick off its statewide tour in our parking lot. Our students learned all about New York’s thriving dairy industry from farm to supermarket and everywhere in between through a variety of interactive and immersive exhibits (and the terrific NYAAC staff, of course). Then, our own STEAM teacher, Mrs. Sarah Stenson, was recognized not only as New York Agriculture in the Classroom’s Teacher of the Year, but ALSO as a recipient of National Agriculture in the Classroom’s 2025 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award! As if that weren’t enough, on Tuesday night we hosted the “Ag in Attica” fair, an opportunity for members of our community to check out the Mobile Dairy Experience for themselves and interact with a variety of local ag vendors, small businesses and community groups from Attica and the surrounding region. You showed UP Attica - there was barely room to swing a cat as members of our community came out to see all the vendors in our multi-purpose room, the kids-zone activities center in our gym and, of course, the Mobile Dairy Experience out in our parking lot. There are so many people to thank for making the past couple of days such a success. To all the vendors, volunteers, students, teachers, and staff who gave of their time and effort - thank you. We’re thrilled that our students had such an incredible opportunity right here in Attica! And don’t forget to check out the photo album from the Mobile Dairy Experience and Ag in Attica Fair over on our Facebook page at the link below. Link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100057106403663&set=a.1162047085708827

Yesterday morning, students and staff came together in our elementary school parking lot to watch as STEAM Teacher Sarah Stenson was presented with the New York Agriculture in the Classroom’s Teacher of the Year Award! The award is given annually to one outstanding teacher in New York State who excels in integrating agricultural concepts in the classroom and embodies a passion for teaching through an agricultural lens. After presenting Stenson with her award, Katie Carpenter, the New York Agriculture in the Classroom director, made a surprise announcement: In addition to being the 2025 New York State Agriculture Teacher of the Year, Stenson had also been named a recipient of National Agriculture in the Classroom’s 2025 National Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award! This is an absolutely INCREDIBLE honor bestowed on only a few teachers across the country each year in recognition of the innovative ways they use agricultural concepts to teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies, STEM, STEAM and more. We couldn’t be prouder of our own Mrs. Stenson - we’ve known she’s the best for years and years but now everyone else will too! Our students, our district and our community are so lucky to have her here in Attica - congratulations, Mrs. Stenson, and thank you for all you do! Make sure you check out the video of Mrs. Stenson’s award ceremony we posted on our YouTube channel at the link below. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrCrVknnoh0

Heads up, Attica - Bertha the Cow is inflated, the Mobile Dairy Experience is set up and the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition is ready to welcome our community to the ‘Ag in Attica’ fair, kicking off in t-minus 1 hour here at Attica Elementary School! This will be a great opportunity for members of our community to experience the Mobile Dairy Experience for themselves and interact with a variety of local ag vendors, small businesses and community groups including: • Wyoming County 4-H • Milk for Health • Partners for Ag • Wright Apiaries • Attica Elementary PTG • Wyoming County Dairy Promotion Program • Attica Vet • Vintage Cow • Attica FFA • Attica Fresh Connections Club Come on down to Prospect Street from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight and check things out - you’ll be glad you did!

Tomorrow’s the day! The Mobile Dairy Experience is almost here! Our elementary school students will have a chance to walk through the experience during the school day tomorrow and Wednesday. We’ll also be hosting an ‘Ag in Attica’ fair tomorrow, Tuesday, March 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Attica Elementary School, 31 Prospect St. This free event will be an opportunity for members of our community to experience the Mobile Dairy Experience for themselves and interact with a variety of local ag vendors, small businesses and community groups including: • Wyoming County 4-H • Milk for Health • Partners for Ag • Wright Apiaries • Attica Elementary PTG • Wyoming County Dairy Promotion Program • Attica Vet • Vintage Cow • Attica FFA • Attica Fresh Connections Club This is going to be an incredible experience for our students and community and we hope you’ll consider stopping and checking things out! For a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Mobile Dairy Experience tick, click on the link below. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7GFw91E0xI

Our latest Fresh Connections Club meeting was all about mint - a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day while exploring this fresh and flavorful herb! Students got hands-on with mint in multiple ways: smelling, tasting, and learning about its many uses in food and everyday products. We focused on both dairy and fresh ingredients, giving students a deeper appreciation for locally sourced and homemade items. First, students blended our own homemade shamrock shakes using fresh milk, ice cream, and mint extract to create a cool, creamy treat while comparing the flavors of fresh mint leaves and mint extract. Next, students made their own chapstick using beeswax, coconut oil and mint extract. Finally, each student planted their own mint to take home! Club members discussed how easy it is to grow and care for, plus its many uses—like making tea, adding to salads and even repelling bugs naturally. This meeting was the perfect blend of dairy, fresh herbs, and creativity, giving students something to take home, taste, and enjoy for weeks to come! #FreshConnections #MintToBe #FarmToSchool #HandsOnLearning #ShamrockShakes #GrowYourOwn

Attica families, tomorrow is the first day of practice for JV and varsity spring sports. Your child must be signed up on Family ID with an up to date physical on file with the nurse. Registration for Modified spring sports will open on Friday, March 21. Practice for modified sports will start on Tuesday, April 22.

REMINDER: The Mobile Dairy Experience will be kicking off its 2025 tour of New York State right here in Attica next week! A creation of the New York State Animal Agriculture Coalition (NYAAC), the Mobile Dairy Experience is a 53-foot, double-expandable trailer that houses a variety of interactive and immersive exhibits meant to help people better understand and appreciate New York’s vibrant dairy industry. Its exhibits feature state-of-the-art technology, captivating imagery and immersive activities appropriate for all ages. The Mobile Dairy Experience will be in Attica next Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19. Our elementary school students will have a chance to walk through the experience during the school day. We’ll also be hosting an ‘Ag in Attica’ fair on Tuesday, March 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Attica Elementary School, 31 Prospect St. This free event will be an opportunity for members of our community to experience the Mobile Dairy Experience for themselves and interact with a variety of local ag vendors, small businesses and community groups including: • Wyoming County 4-H • Milk for Health • Partners for Ag • Wright Apiaries • Attica Elementary PTG • Wyoming County Dairy Promotion Program • Attica Vet • Vintage Cow • Attica FFA • Attica Fresh Connections Club This is going to be an incredible experience for our students and community and we hope you’ll consider stopping and checking things out - you’ll be glad you did! For more information, check out NYAAC’s event listing for the ‘Ag in Attica’ fair on March 18 at the link below. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/3891112584476922/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

We sure do love our cows here in Wyoming County - just look at delicious, homemade treats members of our Fresh Connections Club made with their milk at their meeting last week! Using Cream Top Whole Milk from Burley Berries & Blooms, students crafted their very own mozzarella cheese, stretching and shaping it to perfection. The dairy fun continued as they churned their own butter and baked soft, fluffy buttermilk muffins to enjoy with a fresh spread. As the club wrapped up its meeting, students savored their creations - butter on warm muffins and mozzarella with simple toppings. They left with new skills, full bellies and a deeper appreciation for homemade dairy! With spring on the way, our club is adding some color to the school halls with bright, hand-drawn flowers because if spring refuses to get a move on, we can at least make sure a few bloom inside!

Join us in congratulating our High School Students of the Month for February! Our 9th grade student of the month is Rebekah Hess, nominated by Ms. Jocelyn Pierce. “Rebekah is an outstanding student. Her work is always complete and neat. Oftentimes she leaves little drawings and friendly sayings on her papers,” said Pierce. “Rebekah often stays after class to give a little input on the class and lesson. I also noticed that she is kind to her peers and seems to really enjoy school. She also had a role in the “Freaky Friday” musical, playing a mean girl with lots of attitude (the exact opposite of what she shows in school) and did a great job!” Our student of the month from 10th grade is Abigail Lampke, nominated by Ms. Cheryl Conrad. “Recently, Abigail was concerned for a friend's welfare and reached out to an adult for help. She is a good friend,” said Conrad. “She maintains honor roll grades and shows maturity working at Marley Funeral Home.” Preston Bannister is our 11th grade student of the month. He was nominated by Mrs. Stacy Crowley. “Preston has worked hard in Algebra 2 so far this year. I appreciate that he’s always on task and trying his best even when his peers around him are not,” said Crowley. “Preston takes the time to come to my learning lab from his only study hall. This allows him to ask questions and get work checked over if he needs it. He is working hard to reach his potential and I am proud of him for putting in the effort.” Our 12th grade student of the month is Kellon Cowell, nominated by Ms. Jocelyn Pierce “Recently at lunch, Kellon went up to two freshmen that were sitting by themselves and invited them both to come and sit at his lunch table,” said Pierce. “One student accepted his offer. The student sat down and was very shy. Kellon went over and started talking to him about what game he was playing on his phone. The next day, the kid sat at their table again!”

PLEASE SHARE: Mark your calendars, Attica, because the Mobile Dairy Experience is coming to town! A creation of the New York State Animal Agriculture Coalition (NYAAC), the Mobile Dairy Experience is a 53-foot, double-expandable trailer that houses a variety of interactive and immersive exhibits meant to help people better understand and appreciate New York’s vibrant dairy industry. Its exhibits feature state-of-the-art technology, captivating imagery and immersive activities appropriate for all ages. NYAAC and the Mobile Dairy Experience will be embarking on a year-long tour of the state later this month and decided to kick things off right here in Attica - incredible! The Mobile Dairy Experience will be in Attica next Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19. Our elementary school students will have a chance to walk through the experience during the school day. We’ll also be hosting an ‘Ag in Attica’ fair on Tuesday, March 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Attica Elementary School, 31 Prospect St. This free event will be an opportunity for members of our community to experience the Mobile Dairy Experience for themselves and interact with a variety of local ag vendors, small businesses and community groups including: • Wyoming County 4-H • Milk for Health • Partners for Ag • Wright Apiaries • Attica Elementary PTG • Wyoming County Dairy Promotion Program • Attica Vet • Vintage Cow • Attica FFA • Attica Fresh Connections Club This is going to be an incredible experience for our students and community and we hope you’ll consider stopping and checking things out - you’ll be glad you did! For more information, check out NYAAC’s event listing for the ‘Ag in Attica’ fair on March 18 over on Facebook at the link below. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/3891112584476922/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

Give it up for our Physical Education Students of the Month for February, freshmen Ilyssa George and Mason Moroz!

For Reading Week last week, Miss Allein’s first graders got together with their buddies from Mrs. Allein’s, Mrs. Weber’s and Ms. Clark’s third grade class to read together. The buddies did a great job! (Photos courtesy of Alyssa Allein)

We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who volunteered to be a guest reader for Reading Week last week at Attica Elementary School! We’re lucky to live in a community that recognizes the importance of reading and instilling a lifelong love of it from an early age.

Our high school mock trial team got their season off to a strong start yesterday, winning both of their trials at the Wyoming County Courthouse in Warsaw. Our prosecution team defeated Byron-Bergen in the first round of this year’s trial, which centers on a criminal investigation involving allegations of slander and the use of artificial intelligence. Then, our defense team went up against Pembroke and also came away with the win. Our mock trial team is next in action tomorrow - Wednesday, March 12 - at the Wyoming County Courthouse. The team is coached by Mrs. Diane Gebel and Mrs. Jennifer Wilkinson, Esq. (Photos courtesy of Becki Peters)

We hope to see you at our Chorus Pops Concert tonight at 7 p.m. in our Performing Arts Center! Each of our student ensembles has a dynamite program planned. In fact, our concert lineup is so good, we GUARANTEE you won’t be able to stop tapping your feet or your money back!

Attica Middle School families, Family ID will open for modified spring sports on March 21. Practices will start on Tuesday, April 22. Student-athletes must have an up-to-date physical on file with the nurse to participate. If they plan on using the late bus, they must sign up in the middle school office before the end of the day.

Happy National School Breakfast Week! We've had an amazing week celebrating with our Attica students! From delicious breakfast choices to fun and exciting items, it's been a blast showcasing all the great reasons to start the day with a nutritious breakfast. Big shoutout to our amazing Food Service Team for making it all happen! Thank you for making breakfast a fun and tasty experience for everyone!

Our Chapter I PageTurners team headed to Letchworth High School earlier this week for their spring competition. PageTurners is a literature-based competition that challenges teams from across the region to answer trivia questions about books and other literary works they’ve read over the past few months. The spring competition on Tuesday featured questions on nine new titles that team members had to read. Our Chapter I team, which includes students in grades 3 through 6, did AMAZING, tying for first place among 6 total teams from Warsaw, Letchworth and Alexander. Incredible! “Points from the team’s winter and spring competitions are totaled in order to determine who moves on to the regional competition and unfortunately, we didn’t quite make it,” said Library Media Specialist Melanie Loranty, who co-coaches Attica’s PageTurners team along with fellow LMS Stacey Donahue. “But Mrs. Donahue and I couldn’t be prouder of the students for how hard they worked throughout the entire season. We were blown away!” Pictured are PageTurners team members April Edwards, Kanon Myers, Ellie Keem, Lincoln Fleenor, Eva Cook, Madalynn Perl. Front Row: Peyton Anthony, Wyatt Bennett, Lucas Zybczynski, Everett Dominick, Lucy Kennedy and Gideon Bosarge. (Photos courtesy of Melanie Loranty and Stacey Donahue)