Join us in congratulating our High School Students of the Month for April!
Brennan Pleace is our freshman student of the month. He was nominated by Ms. Jocelyn Pierce.
“Brennan has really dedicated himself to his classwork - especially as the school year’s gone on,” said Pierce. “He raises his hand and participates in class and he puts pride in his work. He’s respectful and can help others by explaining the work and process. I know he will go on and do great things in high school.”
Mrs. Elizabeth Winters nominated our 10th grade student of the month, Emma Vogel.
“Emma is a pleasure to have in class. She offers help to her classmates and to me when it looks like I could use assistance prepping activities for class,” Winters said. “She actively participates in class, demonstrates a positive attitude towards learning and always checks in to get her work when she’s absent. Her happy positive energy is an asset in the classroom and to the learning environment!”
For the junior class, our student of the month is Colden Dehlinger, nominated by Ms. Cheryl Conrad.
“Over the winter, Colden took it upon himself to help ensure an elderly woman got her medications,” explained Conrad. “A path was needed through snow and ice to get to her mailbox. Medications had been delivered and the lady could not get to them. Colden was contacted by Kathy Granger from the American Legion in Strykersville and he stepped in right away to help. This is a very commendable act of community service.”
And last but certainly not least, our 12th grade student of the month is Carlene Domes, nominated by Mrs. Becki Peters.
“Carlene is a hard worker and is taking a lot of challenging courses for her senior year and handling them well. She manages her time well with her extracurricular activities,” said Peters. “Carlene has a lot going on in her personal life, yet she has been maintaining a very positive attitude, keeps up on her school work and hasn't let life's difficulties drag her down. She's a great role model for her siblings and underclassmen.”
Well done to all our high school students of the month!
Old bananas were no match for our Elementary School Food Service Team!
This amazing crew didn’t want to see any bananas go to waste, so they whipped up a delicious banana bread treat for students to enjoy during Friday’s lunch.
Let’s celebrate their resourcefulness and passion for providing our kiddos with tasty, healthy lunch options!
A big shout out to Stephanie for making it all happen - keep up the great work, Attica Elementary!
(Photos courtesy of Alicia Spoth)
If you want a great real world example of our students embodying our core value of establishing and strengthening community and relationships, look no further than Mrs. Jill Pierce’s students who volunteered their time baking cookies for Gateway Home’s chicken BBQ fundraiser last month!
“They baked about 400 cookies and packaged them so we could slip them easily into each chicken dinner we sold,” said Sue Herman, who in addition to serving on our Board of Education serves as an office manager for Gateway Home. “They were so delicious and we got a lot of compliments!”
As a reward for their hard work, Mrs. Herman surprised each of our student bakers today with a gift card to The Vintage Cow Farmers Market.
Pierce’s students are already planning a future field trip to The Vintage Cow where they’ll use their gift cards to purchase themselves a treat as a reward for a job well done.
We love it when our Blue Devils make a positive difference in our community - well done!
(Photos courtesy of Sue Herman)
Our sixth grade students have been studying the Middle Ages in social studies and, last week, wrapped up the unit with a Medieval Fair!
Students have been working on a project about their chosen topic for the past few weeks and presented what they’ve learned to visiting students, parents and other guests.
Afterwards, they assembled in our auditorium atrium, err… great hall for a feast to celebrate in true, Medieval fashion!
Don’t forget to check out the photo album over on our Facebook page at the link below.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=100057106403663&set=a.1206041487976053
This week, Mrs. Jenna Linsey took her eighth grade science students outside for a hands-on lesson about rocks and weathering.
Students observed different types of rocks used to construct our school buildings, identifying features like texture, hardness and layering.
They discussed how wind, rain, and time cause rocks to break down—right before their eyes!
It was a great way to connect classroom learning with the real world.
(Photos courtesy of Jenelle Bauer)
Our Fresh Connection Club’s May 8 meeting was jam-packed, to say the least!
Club members started out with a nature-inspired craft, turning ordinary pine cones into beautiful spring flowers:
• Kids selected their favorite pine cones and painted them in bright, cheerful colors to resemble blooming petals.
• They added sticks as “stems” to complete their flower creations.
• Everyone loved showing off their personalized flowers and arranging them into displays to celebrate the new season.
These turned out great and made for some stellar Mother’s Day gifts!
Then, club members headed outside to our middle school courtyard to lend a hand building 5 new raised garden beds for future planting projects:
• The kids helped carry materials, prep, and assist in assembling six metal raised garden beds.
• We discussed the benefits of raised beds, how they’ll be used in our future garden projects, and how to care for them.
• Their teamwork and enthusiasm brought the project together quickly, and now we have brand-new beds ready for planting!
Well done, Fresh Connections Club!
National Hummus Day was earlier this week and members of our Fresh Connections Club celebrated by making fresh batches of classic and red pepper-infused hummus for their fellow students to sample during lunch!
Club members prepared the hummus Monday so it was ready for students to sample Tuesday on National Hummus Day on Tuesday.
Club members previously created a vibrant beet hummus and wanted to explore a more traditional option to propose for the district’s recipe book.
Great work to our student chefs and many thanks to our food service staff for making Tuesday’s taste testing possible!
Today, students across our district got a jump on summer with the first fresh local flavors of the season as our amazing Food Service Manager, Kris Wicks, surprised the students with greenhouse-grown strawberries from Headwater Foods out of Ontario, Wayne County.
When the opportunity to bring this nutritious and delicious fruit to the lunch line arose, Kris jumped at the chance. It’s just the beginning, but we can already taste the summer ahead!
As the season progresses, our food service team is preparing for even more local goodness, freezing dozens of flats of berries to use in smoothies and parfaits throughout the 2025-26 school year.
We can’t wait to share more of our homegrown favorites with the students!
Join us in congratulating our Envirothon team, which won first place in the Wyoming County Envirothon Competition earlier this week at Letchworth State Park!
Sponsored by the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District and others, Envirothon is a hands-on, problem solving, and critical thinking competition designed to test students’ understanding of natural resources.
Our five-member team of Noah Robinson, Madelyn Burger, Gavin Carpenter, Dalton Burnham and Dylan Mirrione, with Rob Beck serving as an alternate, competed at stations focused on forestry, soils, wildlife, aquatic ecology and a station relating to a current environmental issue. This year’s current environmental topic is “Roots & Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship In A Canopy of Change.” Our team aced the current event test, and continued to excel in the other categories.
With their win, our team members brought home medals, a plaque for their classroom wall and also punched their ticket to the State Envirothon Competition at SUNY Cortland later this month.
Way to go!
(Photos courtesy of Alyssa Wright)
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!
