Paula Bianchi, a building custodian at Attica Middle School, is our newest Attica All-Star!
Facilities Director Dave Barber, who nominated Bianchi, called her “an unsung hero” of his department and lauded her as “reliable, trustworthy and skilled in her trade.”
“She frequently goes above and beyond to take care of her kids in the Middle School,” said Barber. “Her work is much more than just picking up behind them. She’s taught them yoga, helped some of them learn custodial skills and always seeks to develop meaningful relationships with as many kids as she can. Most importantly, she genuinely loves, serves and cares for the Attica middle schoolers.”
While technically not an instructional staff member, Barber said Bianchi goes above and beyond to ensure the middle school’s culture of learning remains strong.
“I remember when we went to remote instruction during the spring of 2020 and never reopened for in-school instruction until that September,” Barber recalled. “Paula was so emotional about finally getting ‘her kids’ back into the building and that really struck me as someone who gets it - under this roof, we're all educators.”
Attica Middle School Principal Paul Clark was of a like mind and credited Bianchi with approaching her job with “a tremendous amount of pride.”
“She treats the students and staff like family, she is always available for support, whether it be a clean-up or a shoulder to cry on,” said Clark. “The students all get to know ‘Miss Paula’ personally and appreciate all the valuable qualities she brings to the Middle School on a daily basis. The best word to describe Paula to me would be ‘loyal.’ She would do anything she possibly could to help someone out or support someone in need.”
Apart from her official duties, Bianchi is also an accomplished yogi and occasionally leads students in yoga classes as a way of practicing mindfulness, reducing anxiety and improving their strength, balance and flexibility.
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.
Get stronger! Get flexible! Get active!
Allison Platten, a local, certified Barre Above instructor, is leading classes Tuesday nights throughout the month of February.
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 will be held in the High School Cafeteria, 3338 East Main Street Rd., Attica, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27.
These classes are free for Attica staff and community members. You must be 18 years old to register. A yoga mat is suggested.
Use the link below to sign up.
We hope to see you at one of our upcoming classes!
Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfY5UYcV6FW1bKLeGuQV_8S17Rfg6cPohLoSYNKJPCbge__wQ/viewform
Winter Homecoming Week kicks off in our high school TOMORROW.
Don’t forget to take a look at our spirit day schedule below so you can plan your outfit for the coming week!
Boys basketball mid-season check-in: Your Blue Devils are now 11-2 on the season following their 50-45 win over a quality Wheatland-Chili squad last night.
So far this season, three of our starters have taken home Player of the Week honors for the Genesee Region Athletic Association.
Senior Clayton Bezon got things started the week of Dec. 16 when he was named Player of the Week following wins over Oakfield-Alabama (28 points, 15 rebounds) and Pembroke (10 points, 11 rebounds).
Next up was senior Cole Harding whose 22-point, 14-rebound, 6-assist performance over Royalton Hartland earned him Player of the Week honors for the week of Dec. 30.
And earlier this month, senior Jack Janes was named Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 13 on the strength of his performances during wins over Wellsville (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Lyndonville (21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists).
“The team is really working great as a unit,” said Head Coach Rob Crowley. “I’m really proud of these guys and am really looking forward to making a strong push toward the end of the season.”
Our boys are next in action Monday, Jan. 29 at home where they’ll take on 11-3 Byron-Bergen.
(Photos courtesy of Brennan Bezon)
Don’t forget, Blue Devils - there’s a Total Body Workout class tonight from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in Attica Elementary School’s multipurpose room.
We hope to see you there!
Reminder, Blue Devils: Tomorrow - Friday, Jan. 26 - is a Professional Growth Committee day for our staff and there will be no school for students.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Last New York Thursday of the month coming up tomorrow.
Check out the image below to see what’s on the lunch menu!
Mark your calendars, Blue Devils, for our Future Farmers of America chapter’s annual Pancake Breakfast!
This year’s fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the North Java Fire Hall, 4274 NY-98, North Java.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and can be purchased at the door.
Attica Partners for Agriculture will again be holding a basket raffle - likewise to support our FFA chapter. Tickets are $10 and will be re-entered for each drawing.
So come on out, eat too much breakfast food and help support a good cause!
There is a 2-hour delay today, Tuesday, January 23rd, for Attica Central School due to the inclement weather causing hazardous road conditions.
FARM TO SCHOOL: Build-your-own smoothies debuted as an entree option Jan. 11 in our Middle-High School Cafeteria.
“Students tried out the smoothie line for the first time and made smoothies containing frozen fruit that the cafeteria staff froze over the summer months, local Upstate Farms yogurt and milk and fresh spinach,” said Farm to School Coordinator Alicia Spoth. “We had 239 people try out the smoothie line during lunches that day and are looking forward to many more healthy lunches to come with this new ‘Build-your-own’ station.”
Middle School Principal Paul Clark stopped by a few lunches last week to see how students were enjoying the new offering.
“I was really impressed with our food service staff who worked patiently with students to show them how the process works to create their own smoothie,” said Clark. “Seeing the smiles on the students from both Middle School and High School students enjoying their lunch was impressive!”
(Photos courtesy of Paul Clark)
Homemade buffalo chicken pizza AND a stuffed pepper soup taste test?!
Ummmm… yes please!
Pickleball is taking over the world and Attica’s no exception!
We stopped by one of our physical education classes in the high school this morning to see some of our students in action.
Our advice? A bit more dinking, a little less power.
Oh, and make sure you stay out of the kitchen!
We asked, you delivered! Check out what our students go up to on their days off and thank you to all those who submitted photos!
• Seniors Alanna Pellicane and Kaidan Hofheins braved the cold for a winter photo shoot.
• Fourth grade teacher Katie Kennedy got together with some of our Elementary School students - Grayson and Alexander Helak, Bryn Coffta and Sam and Lucy Kennedy - for a spot of sledding. On Wednesday, they trekked to the Elementary School to tackle the hill between the school and Washington Street. Then, on Thursday, they headed to the High School to try the hill near our tennis courts!
• Sophomore Grey Richley spent one of their snow days inside making some fish tacos.
• Avery Nelson took advantage of the new-fallen snow to get outside and play with her dog, Gracie.
• Pre-kindergartener Finley Addison played in the snow - likewise with her canine companion.
• Kindergartener Alyson Walker bundled up for some outside fun. Is that the beginning of a snowman we see, Alyson?!
• Kindergartener Jaxon Zimmermann went sledding.
We love seeing what our students get up to during a snow day, let alone two in a row!
If you feel like sharing, send us a photo or two of how you or your student spent your time off in an email to Matt Leader, our public relations specialist, at mleader@gvboces.org.
If we receive enough photos, we’ll share them in a future post.
Stay warm out there, Blue Devils!
Attica Central School is closed today, Thursday, January 18th, due to the current weather situation.
Attica Central School is closed today, Wednesday, January 17th, due to the current weather situation.
PLEASE SHARE: The Attica Central School District has scheduled a public hearing to share an update on the use of funding awarded to the district through the American Rescue Plan and discuss the conclusion of the funding.
The public hearing is Jan. 29, 2024 at 5 p.m. in the Middle-High School Cafeteria, 3338 East Main Street Rd., Attica.
A hearty (and admittedly, late) congratulations to our fall scholar athlete teams!
• Boys Soccer
• Girls Soccer
• Volleyball
• Girls Cross Country
In order to qualify as a scholar athlete team, 75 percent of a team’s members must maintain a GPA of at least 90 percent.
Shout out to juniors Catharine Struzik and Brady Eickhoff, our physical education students of the month for December!
Catharine and Brady were selected 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.
They were presented with certificates (and Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards) in recognition of their selection.
Congratulations!
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Members of our Future Farmers of America chapter were sifting through some records down at Prospect Elementary recently when they stumbled upon an old book, “The Growing of America: 200 Years of U.S. Agriculture.”
Published in 1975, the book’s dedication page listed Attica’s chapter members, officers and advisors and also noted the exact year - 1939 - that our chapter was first chartered! This information had been lost to memory as our district’s FFA chapter was rechartered in 2017.
Our FFA is always looking to improve its archive and is asking any former Attica FFA members or family members that may have memorabilia from 1939 through the 1950s to reach out to Chapter Historian Olivia Bernacki at 24obernacki@students.atticacsd.org.
As always, you can keep up to date with all the goings on of our FFA chapter by visiting its website at the link below.
Link: https://sites.google.com/atticacsd.org/atticaffa/home?authuser=0
