Members of our FFA chapter traveled to the 100th Annual New York State FFA Convention in Syracuse earlier this month to compete against fellow FFA members from across the state in a variety of competitions.
With more than 3,000 FFA members in attendance, there was some tough competition, but your Blue Devils held their own to achieve some impressive results:
• Our Senior Quiz Bowl Team took home 3rd place. Their knowledge of ag trivia led them to this victory.
• Our Maple Production Team took 2nd place. Tanner Day placed 4th place individually, and Will King placed 3rd individually.
• New to the Attica FFA chapter this year was Forestry. Dylan Mirrione placed 3rd in the event and our FFA members are already talking about studying for next year’s competition.
• Competing in the only solo event was Addie Day, who placed 3rd for Jr. Creed Speaking. This is no easy task - congratulations Addie!
Other competitions our students participated in were Jr. Tool Identification, and Jr. Quiz Bowl. All of our students represented the district proudly.
Another special achievement was Evelyn King getting selected for an FFA jacket of her own. Congratulations Evie!
Agriculture is such an important part of our community, and we’re thankful for the decision to re-charter Attica’s FFA Chapter in 2017.
At this year’s convention it was announced that our program was in the top 10 for membership growth. We’re happy to celebrate 100 years of New York FFA, and thrilled with the direction of our program!
(Photos courtesy of Alyssa Wright)
Another Tractor Day in the books!
Shout outs have to go to all our participants - Dalton Burnham, Morgan Capen, Colden Dehlinger, Logan Domes, Alan Driesel, Gavin Carpenter, Will King, Tanner Day, Colin Bradforrd and Dylan Mirrione - for keeping the tradition alive, Mr. Spink, for organizing things yesterday morning, as well as the Attica Police Department, for making sure students got from Veterans Memorial Park to the high school safely.
And our sincere thanks to Christopher Day, Sue Herman and Will King for capturing all the footage you’ll see in the video linked below.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5uMuzTRkgo
This week, we are proud to shine a very well-deserved spotlight on Tammy Burry, who exemplifies what it means to be a true Attica All-Star!
Burry wears many hats here at Attica Central Schools, serving as our Payroll Clerk, Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations and Tax Collector — and she handles each role with unmatched precision, care and dedication.
With more than 20 years of service to our district, Burry is one of the most reliable, honest and hardworking team members in our organization. She’s the engine behind many of the critical business office functions that keep our district running smoothly — ensuring every paycheck is accurate, assisting with key business operations and managing tax collection with integrity and professionalism.
But Burry’s contributions go far beyond her job titles.
“What makes Tammy truly special is her heart for the Attica community,” said Meaghan Matuszak, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations. “As a lifelong resident, she brings passion and purpose to her work every day. She is deeply committed to the school her son Cody graduated from and where her son Lucas is currently thriving. She’s more than an employee — she’s a fierce advocate for our students, staff and families and her commitment to Attica goes well beyond the walls of the District Office.”
Burry is known as the go-to helping hand for anyone in need. Whether it’s a staff member navigating payroll questions, a family needing assistance with tax-related concerns or a colleague looking for guidance, Burry is always ready to go the extra mile — with patience, kindness and a ready willingness to help. Her coworkers often describe her as the "glue" that holds many day-to-day operations together, and she does it all with a quiet strength and grace that inspires those around her.
Burry's contributions often happen behind the scenes, but their impact is felt far and wide. She is a shining example of what it means to serve with humility, excellence and heart.
Thank you, Tammy, for all you do and for the love you pour into your work and your community every single day.
You are an Attica All-Star, through and through!
REMINDER: Superintendent Dr. Kiel Illg’s two final public information sessions on our district’s 2025-26 budget proposal are TOMORROW - Wednesday, May 14.
The first is from 10 to 11 a.m. at The Pine Lounge, 164 Clinton St., Cowlesville.
The second is from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Attica Historical Society, 130 Main St., Attica.
Illg will be on hand to answer questions, field comments and generally explain what’s in the budget proposal district residents will vote on Tuesday, May 20.
We hope to see you tomorrow!
Heads up, Attica - our Blue Devils Dispatch for May 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: https://secure.smore.com/n/dh41e
• Attica Middle School: https://secure.smore.com/n/ehbm5p
• Attica High School: https://secure.smore.com/n/jxbmy
Get Your Tickets for the Attica Middle School Chicken BBQ!
Support the Attica Middle School Compact Team by joining us for a delicious Chicken BBQ on Tuesday, May 20th from 3:30–6:00 PM in the High School Parking Lot near the tennis courts.
Each dinner includes:
BBQ Chicken
Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Roll
Tickets are $15 (cash or check made out to the Middle School Compact Team) and must be pre-ordered by Tuesday, May 13th. Tickets are available in the Middle School Main Office or by contacting any of the staff listed on the event flyer below.
Don’t forget to save room for dessert! A variety of sweet treats will be available for purchase the day of the event—freshly made by our talented students in the Fresh Connections Club. Your support helps them continue developing culinary and life skills through real-world experiences.
Come hungry and leave happy—thank you for supporting our students!
REMINDER: Our Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kiel Illg, is hosting a public information session centered on our 2025-26 budget proposal TOMORROW - Friday, May 9 - from 12 to 1 p.m. at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure, 2887 Royce Rd., Varysburg.
Illg will be on hand to answer questions, field comments and generally explain what’s in the budget proposal district residents will vote on Tuesday, May 20.
We hope to see you!
Members of our Fresh Connections Club dove into the world of herbal remedies last week by whipping up a batch of dead nettle salve, a soothing, natural skin treatment made from the vibrant purple wildflower that often pops up in spring gardens.
Students began by learning about dead nettle - what it looks like, where it grows, and why it’s known for its anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties. Our club members had the opportunity to touch, smell, and examine the plant up close while discussing its many uses in natural remedies.
Then, club members rolled up their sleeves to create their own salve by infusing oil with dried dead nettle, mixing in melted beeswax to thicken the mixture and pouring it into labeled tins for easy transport.
This meeting offered a blend of science, nature and wellness as each club member left with a handmade salve and a newfound appreciation for the power of plants!
Give it up for our Physical Education Students of the Month for April, Jacob Behrend and Abigail Lampke!
Jacob, a senior, and Abigail, 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.
Congratulations, Jacob and Abigail, and enjoy the Dunkin’!
We're thrilled to share that Attica Central Schools have successfully completed the final Backpack Program delivery of the season, made possible through the generous support of the New York Foods for Families Grant. This initiative has been instrumental in providing nutritious, locally sourced food to families in our community.
A heartfelt thank you to our local partners:
• HLW Acres: For contributing homegrown chickens, ensuring families receive quality protein.
• Fenton's Produce: For providing vibrant produce boxes filled with spring delights like rhubarb, spinach, lettuce, radishes, asparagus, and potatoes.
These collaborations not only support our community's well-being but also bolster local agriculture. We're grateful for the continued partnership and dedication to nourishing our families.
As we wrap up this season, we look forward to future opportunities to support and uplift our community together!
It was National School Principals’ Day last week, so of course our elementary school had to go all out to celebrate Mrs. Sherry Bennett!
First, the Leadership Club created a piece of wall art showing a heart comprised of words that best describe Bennett as well as an acrostic poem using the letters in her name.
Then, the entire school came together and put their finger print on a canvas to create the shape of a heart to let Bennett know how much she is loved!
A worthy recognition for someone who makes such a positive difference in the lives of her students!
Last week, students had the opportunity to sit down with Joe Lavey during a ‘Lunch & Learn’ in our High School Library.
The Sales and Marketing Manager from Auto Collision and Glass in Attica, Lavey spoke with our students about the automotive industry.
Students learned about preparing for the industry, what a day-in-the-life of an employee is like, benefits of the job, and much more. One of the key takeaways from the session with Lavey was that students don’t necessarily need to be experts in the field to do a good job, as skills can be taught on the job.
Many thanks to Mr. Lavey for coming to speak with our students!
(Photos courtesy of Dustin Gardner)
This month, we're thrilled to recognize two outstanding members of our food service team: Jane Bartz and Stacey Smith!
Our Food Service All-Stars for the month of May, Bartz and Smith work in our High School/Middle School Cafeteria, where they consistently go above and beyond to make school meals awesome. From serving in our summer food service program to greeting students with bright smiles every day, their dedication shines through in everything they do.
"Jane is always up for anything I ask,” said Food Service Director Kris Wick. “She is a true service-oriented staff member, and I am thankful to have her on our team. Stacey is always present and on time. She is dedicated, kind and always brightens our team.”
We are so thankful for their professionalism, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students. Thank you, Jane and Stacey, for making our school community a better place!
Apart from the photoshoot (courtesy of Brody Wheeler), our Declaration Day celebration last week in the High School Library was all the more special for the efforts of first-year counselor, Mr. Dustin Gardner.
Unbeknownst to our Class of 2025, Gardener approached the parents of seniors in the weeks leading up to Declaration Day to have them write their soon-to-be graduate a letter.
As you can probably imagine, these letters yielded quite a few special moments (and more than a few tears) in the library Thursday afternoon.
Gardner also set up a few tables for seniors to write letters of their own to Attica teachers or staff members that helped them in some way along their journey through high school.
Many thanks to Mr. Gardner for going out of his way to make this day a bit more special for our seniors!
A VERY belated congratulations to our Middle School Students of the Month for February AND March!
February
5th Grade: Cailee Lawton
Cailee is such a sweetheart! She always gives her best effort, even when things are difficult. She is cooperative, friendly, and polite. Cailee brings energy to any group she’s a part of! She is kind, loving, and caring! She has been working really hard and has made great growth in all areas of academics, especially reading and is a true pleasure to work with!
6th Grade: Millie McCutcheon
Millie is such a nice student and a sweetheart. She cares about others and is always a team player. She is dedicated to her schoolwork. Millie always has a huge smile on her face and brightens the room! She is friendly to all of her classmates and always works to her full potential and includes everyone!
7th Grade: Miles Maksymik
Miles is in advanced math and takes on this challenge very well. He participates in class and is always looking for ways to correct his mistakes and learn from it for next time. Miles is inquisitive and hard working. He is polite in class to the teachers and classmates and always willing to help others out.
8th Grade: Allison Hendershott
Allison is a very hardworking student. Whenever she knows she is going to miss a class she makes sure she gets her assignments ahead of time. Allison has never missed a homework assignment in math class and is always asking questions to try to gain a deeper understanding of the material. She likes to be challenged as well. Allison is a role model for other students in the grade. She likes to help others in class and explain her reasoning so others can understand as well.
March
5th Grade: Lincoln Fleenor
Lincoln is a great listener and positive influence in the classroom. He shows that he is dedicated to his education by working hard. He is always polite and helpful. He also has a great sense of humor!
6th Grade: Aubrey White
Aubrey always comes to math class with a "can-do" attitude. She is polite and friendly with adults and peers and just generates an aura of positivity.
7th Grade: Addylin Askey
Addy works incredibly hard on a daily basis not only to excel in academics, but in extending kindness and compassion to those in need. Addy is a remarkable student who exemplifies kindness, respect, and dedication in everything she does. She is always willing to lend a hand, whether helping a classmate understand a lesson, organizing classroom materials, or offering words of encouragement to those around her.
8th Grade: Bradley Datzler
Bradley is a great example of what it means to be helpful, respectful, and hardworking. He consistently goes above and beyond to support his classmates, whether by offering assistance with assignments or encouraging others with a positive attitude. His respect for teachers and peers is evident in the way he listens attentively, follows directions, and treats everyone with kindness. A dedicated and diligent student, Bradley approaches every task with determination and a strong work ethic, always striving to do his best. His commitment to excellence and his willingness to help others make him a deserving candidate for Student of the Month.
Give it up for our High School Students of the Month for March!
Our 9th grade student of the month is Laurel Cius, nominated by Mr. James Nash.
“Laurel is a fantastic student, and actively puts forth effort into her classwork and homework,” said Nash. “She also goes out of her way to make sure she makes up any late work, and I greatly respect that. She is an asset in the classroom, and always tries to answer a question, and shows no fear if her answer may be incorrect.”
Our 10th grade student of the month is Noah Robinson, nominated by Ms. Alyssa Wright and Mrs. Alicia Spoth.
“I was beyond impressed with his representation of the district during a recent field trip to Kenneth Henry & Sons,” said Spoth. “Noah demonstrated exceptional curiosity and engagement, eagerly asking questions and showing a genuine interest in learning. He conducted himself with professionalism and responsibility, serving as a wonderful ambassador for our school. His enthusiasm and respectful demeanor made a lasting impression, and I believe he is highly deserving of this recognition."
Added Wright: “Noah always creates a great learning environment for his peers, and offers help wherever he can. He always has a smile on his face and comes to class eager to learn.”
Our 11th grade student of the month is Kristen Miller, nominated by Mrs. Elizabeth Winters.
“Kristen continues to work very hard in my AP Biology course. She has truly stepped up to the challenge in this rigorous course, and should be commended for her positive attitude and resilience when the content and assessments are highly challenging,” said Winters. “Kristen understands that the hard work she puts in now will only benefit her in future courses at Attica and at the collegiate level.”
Our student of the month for 12th grade is Jacob Behrend, nominated by Mrs. Jody Brydalski
“Jacob was always so polite in Ski Club,” said Brydalski. “He would always say thank you when he got off the bus and, in general, is such a well-mannered young man!”
Today, on National School Lunch Heroes Day, we want to give a huge THANK YOU to our amazing food service staff who go above and beyond every day to nourish our students with healthy meals and warm smiles.
Your hard work, dedication and kindness continue to make a lasting impact on our school, out community and, most importantly, our students!
You are true heroes, keeping our students fueled, focused, and feeling cared for.
Thank you!
Super grateful to Brody Wheeler of Brody Wheeler Photography for leading the Declaration Day photoshoot for members of our Class of 2025 yesterday in the High School Library!
This was a great time for our seniors to come together, celebrate where they’ve come from and where they’re going, and take a few photos together.
Himself an Attica alum, Wheeler’s been capturing special memories for clients throughout Western New York (and beyond) for more than 30 years.
You’re probably familiar with his portraits of our senior athletes that the Attica Central Booster Club sponsors each year, but Wheeler also offers in-studio and on-location senior portraits, family portraits, corporate headshots, commercial, editorial and architectural photography and is a frequent photographer of weddings, corporate events, fundraisers and school dances.
For more information about his services, visit his website at the link below.
Link: https://brodywheeler.com/
PLEASE SHARE: Our budget newsletter will be delivered in this weekend’s edition of the Attica Penny Saver.
It contains important information about our district’s 2025-26 budget proposal, which residents will vote on May 20.
You can also access the newsletter on our website at the link below.
Link: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2319/ACSD/5573250/Attica_budget_newsletter_FINAL.pdf
Mrs. Elizabeth Winters’ and Mrs. Laura O’Donnell’s high school science students headed down to Prospect Elementary earlier this week for STEM Day!
This year’s activity challenged our elementary schoolers to construct a balloon-powered car.
After breaking into teams, younger students worked with their assigned high schoolers to construct their car using straws, cardboard, rubber bands, a set of wheels and a whole lot of tape.
Then, they headed out into the hallway to test their designs and made improvements based on how their cars performed. We were light-headed just WATCHING all the balloon blow-ups!
At the end of the activity, teams measured the overall distance their cars traveled, charted the results and compared how their cars performed with their classmates.
All in, we had nearly 50 high schoolers help more than 400 elementary schoolers engage in this activity across 21 different classrooms!
Such a fun day and so full of learning - many thanks to all the students and staff who helped make it possible!
LOTS more photos over on our Facebook page at the link below, so make sure you go check them out!
Link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100057106403663&set=a.1196168678963334
