We stopped by Mrs. Diane Gebel’s fourth period social studies class this morning to check out her middle school students’ Ellis Island simulation.
As part of the simulation, Gebel previously assigned each student a character of a would-be immigrant. Students then researched why their assigned immigrant would decide to leave their home country in the first place, then prepared travel documents before being processed.
Before they could successfully immigrate to the U.S., students’ assigned characters were subject to medical screenings and legal background checks at the hands of sometimes hostile and sometimes corrupt immigration officers.
If a student’s assigned character was displaying symptoms of illness, was too old or weak to work, had a history of criminal activity in their home country or had an occupation that wasn’t highly valued, that student’s character faced deportation and the possibility of having to begin the immigration process again from the beginning.
Are you a Burger King fan? Of course you are, stop lying. In fact, you’ve probably got that jingle going through your head right now. You know the one - “At Beeeeeeee-Kayyyyyyy, have it your way…”
Anyways, we’ve gotten off point.
If you like BK (just admit it, already), make sure you stop by our freshman class fundraiser at Attica Burger King, 130 Prospect St., on Thursday, Dec. 21
20 percent of ALL sales made between 4 and 9 p.m. that day will go to our freshman class fund!
If ever there was time to order that second Whopper, it’s Dec. 21 from 4 to 9 p.m. - after all, it’s for a good cause!
Our high school counseling office took 43 juniors and seniors on a college tour last month.
They started off at Daemen University, then went to Erie Community College’s North Campus before finishing up at the University of Buffalo.
“The students got to see first hand the differences between a community college, a private university and a SUNY school,” said Counselor Elise Meyer, who accompanied students on the trip. “They were able to visit classrooms, libraries, computer labs, athletic complexes, dorm rooms and much more.
(Photo courtesy of Elise Meyer)
FARM TO SCHOOL: Today was a New York Thursdays day in our cafeterias and you know what that means…
A statewide initiative, New York Thursdays highlights New York-grown and produced food items during school meals once per week. It’s intended to maximize the amount of locally produced food students have access to at school while, at the same time, saving the district money in the form of increased state aid reimbursements.
Today’s menu included:
• Nachos Grande: Ground beef from Burly Brothers Country Butchery (Attica)
• Salad: Lettuce and toppings from John Versage’s hydroponic grow system and American Fruit and Vegetable Company (Rochester),
• Corn: Merle’s Fresh Produce
• Apples: LynOaken Farms (Medina)
• Milk: Upstate Farms (Farmer-owned dairy cooperative comprising more than 300 farms - most in Western New York)
Yum!
(Photo courtesy Kris Wicks)
WINTER RECESS COUNTDOWN: 11 days left, Blue Devils. We’re practically in single digits, here.
Today, we’re asking for your help.
Members of our We Care Club are already hard at work on their annual holiday gift drive to benefit children in need in our community. The good news is that there’s still time to donate if you’d like to help support a child or family this year!
Take a look at the flier below to see what items are most needed and for drop-off instructions.
Contact We Care Club Advisor Matt Struzik with any questions and please consider helping us make a child’s holiday season a little brighter!
Phone: (585) 591-0400, ext. 1141
Email: MStruzik@atticacsd.org
FARM TO SCHOOL: Our food service staff created a corn salad for students to sample earlier this month.
This corn comes straight from Attica’s own Merle’s Produce, which froze it at its peak ripeness this past summer.
Students tried this corn salad on Friday, Dec. 1st and gave it two thumbs up!
Want to try it for yourself? Use the recipe linked below!
(Photos courtesy of Alicia Spoth)
Link: https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/creamy-corn-salad/
WINTER RECESS COUNTDOWN: T-minus 12 days. We repeat: 12 days left until winter recess.
Today, we take you to our Middle School Library where Library Media Specialist Stacey Donahue recently hosted a white elephant book tasting for students.
Students took turns unwrapping a book from one of the many Donahue had chosen. Then, students read the summary on the inside cover aloud before deciding whether to keep the book they’d just opened or to steal one previously unwrapped by a classmate.
After everyone had a turn, students decided whether they wanted to check out the book they ended up with or one of the others not already claimed by a fellow student.
This was a great way to get our students exploring new topics and genres they might not otherwise check out!
WINTER RECESS COUNTDOWN: 13 days to go, Blue Devils.
Today, we bring you the holiday gift of music! We have six concerts coming up this month - the first of which is tonight at 7 p.m. in the District Auditorium.
We stopped by Mr. Austin Matson’s 7th/8th grade chorus rehearsal yesterday to see how things are sounding and we’d say you’re in for a treat!
Click on the link below for a sneak peak from our 7th/8th grade chorus, which will perform tonight - Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. - along with out 7th/8th grade band!
See the schedule below for a full breakdown of our upcoming holiday concerts. All concerts are in our District Auditorium.
Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
• 7th/8th Grade Band
• 7th/8th Grade Chorus
Sunday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.
• Sr. High Band
• Sr. High Chorus
Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
• 5th Grade Band
• 6th Grade Band
• 5th/6th Grade Chorus
Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 1:30 p.m.
• Kindergarten Music Program
Thursday, Dec. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
• 1st Grade Music Program
Friday, Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m.
• 2nd Grade Music Program
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc4nOgoQnSY
Total Body Workouts are returning to Attica Elementary School!
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.
Sign up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOjyfY-IMraeOh2yvstNVw5L_8SeXc17Ksh_a2oV499TlDqA/viewform
WINTER RECESS COUNTDOWN: Believe it or not, Blue Devils, but you’ve only got 14 school days left to go before you can kick back and relax over Winter Recess.
Starting today, we’ll be sharing one post per weekday through the last day of school on Dec. 22. to highlight some of the fun, holiday happenings here at Attica Central Schools.
To kick off our countdown, we bring you news of a small act of service from students in Mrs. Jill Piere’s life skills class who took it upon themselves last week to help brighten our Middle School by decorating a Christmas tree in the lobby!
As you can see, the tree turned out beautifully and will continue to spread holiday cheer throughout the month. Well done!
(Photos courtesy of Jill Pierce)
Good Evening,
The Winter sports pictures for all JV and Varsity sports and modified girls basketball and wrestling will be taken on Monday, December 4th after school. Please see your coach for specific times. Thank you.
While you were kicking back over Thanksgiving Recess, our Mighty Marching Blue Devils were doing what they do best - marching, mightily.
Our senior high band traveled to Toronto this past Sunday to march in the city’s 119th annual Santa Claus Parade for the 28th time!
“It was our first time back since 2019 due to COVID restrictions,” said Band Director Amanda Hofheins. “It was a great day and festive way to kick off the holiday season.”
Thanks for having us, Toronto - we had a great time, eh?
(Photos courtesy of Amanda Hofheins, Amanda Brown and Kelly Dick)
Happy Thanksgiving, from our Blue Devils family to yours.
We hope your day is full of family, laughter and delicious sides (turkey’s just OK).
The salary for the CSE secretary position is $15 per hour. The start date is Dec. 1.
Visit our website at the link below for more information about the positions and to see other employment opportunities at our district.
Link: https://www.atticacsd.org/page/open-positions
Sixth graders put on their ancient Egyptian museum today, giving parents, staff and fellow classmates a chance to check out the projects they’ve been working on all month.
Students chose a topic, researched it using books and databases from the library and then wrote an essay to go along with their chosen exhibit.
The museum was located in the Middle School Library where families came in along with many classes, staff and administration to learn from the students’ hard work.
Great job!
(Photos courtesy of Allison Cali)
We’re excited to announce Attica Central School District is partnering with Care Solace, a free, anonymous and confidential mental health care coordination service that connects people in need of mental health services with available providers in their area.
Attica students, staff and their family members can contact Care Solace 24/7 at 888-515-0595 to find providers in their area. You can also use our district’s custom webpage at the link below to search out providers online.
“I’m hopeful this new partnership will ease the burden of finding quality mental health care for our students, staff and families,” said Superintendent Dr. Kiel Illg. “Mental health is health, so anything we can do to create a supportive environment for those in need of mental health care is worth doing.”
Link: https://caresolace.com/site/atticacsd
We want to make Attica Central School District residents aware of a program that can help cover the cost of Internet access at home.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an initiative of the Federal Communications Commission that helps connect families and households struggling to afford internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides:
• An up to $30 per month discount for broadband service; and
• A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Families approved to receive free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program may be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You may also qualify if your household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines or if a member of your family participates in certain federal assistance programs like SNAP, Medicaid or WIC, among others.
To learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program, go online to GetInternet.gov at the link below. From here, you can submit an application online or print one out application and mail it in.
You may also be able to contact your preferred, participating Internet service provider, select a plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
Link: https://getinternet.gov/apply?ln=RW5nbGlzaA%3D%3D
Attica Central School District was recently notified by its dairy supplier, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, that a nationwide shortage of half-pint paper milk cartons will affect its ability to supply its customers - including Attica.
In light of this anticipated shortage, Attica Central School District will be purchasing half-gallon containers of milk instead of half-pint containers.
In the elementary school, food service staff will be pouring cups of milk for students at lunch time. In the middle and high schools, our food service staff has set up a self-service station where students can pour their own cup of milk.
In its recent communication with our district, Upstate Niagara stated the shortage may resolve in early 2024 and that it’s working with its own vendors to try to speed that timeline along.
Questions should be directed to Food Service Director Kris Wicks at kwicks@atticacsd.org or (585) 591-0400, ext. 1195.
We’re proud to support our local dairy producers and offer milk to our students however we can!
Your Blue Devils will be well-represented tonight at the Eddie Meath All-Star Football Game.
Representing the Attica cheerleading squad will be senior Julianna Keicher while seniors Case Hill, Landyn Thomas, Clayton Bezon and Trent Woods will compete on the field as members of the West Team.
Tonight’s game will be played at the University of Rochester’s Fauver Stadium, Library Road, Rochester.
Tickets are $10 (cash only) at the gate.
Proceeds from the game will benefit Golisano's Children Hospital, so don’t miss it!
Our Mighty Marching Blue Devils were out in force earlier this month for Attica’s annual Veterans Appreciation Parade!
Few shots of our student musicians in action, courtesy of Band Director Amanda Hofheins - including a couple of them playing outside Gateway Home for a current resident who’s the wife of a veteran.
