Attica Central School District

Please welcome guest reader Carin Krawczyk and her book, ““Lady Pancake, Sir French Toast,” by Josh Funk, illustrations by Brendan Kearney, to Reading Week! Everything’s better with a little syrup and our featured book and French toast sticks lunch entree are no exception! Head on over to our YouTube channel at the link below to see Krawczyk's read aloud! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhkTwQ5MgvU

Our student-teacher volleyball game is always a fun time. Don’t ask us who won - we have no idea, but if we’re talking MVP, our vote goes to Mr. Collin Wheeler. The man was everywhere - can you say RINGER? Full photo album over on our Facebook page at the link below. Link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100057106403663&set=a.1149979003582302

Don’t miss our 39th annual Band in the Round Concert, tonight at 7 p.m. in our High School Gym, 3338 East Main Street Rd., Attica. Student musicians in fifth through twelfth grade under the direction of Amanda Hofheins, Julie Daley and Stephanie Gietler have been rehearsing hard and are ready to share their work with all of you! We stopped by rehearsal this afternoon to see how things were going and let’s just say it left us craving a Josh Allen-Mack Hollins touchdown REAL bad. Check out our video from the rehearsal over on our YouTube channel at the link below. We hope to see you tonight, Blue Devils! If you can’t make it in person, tune into our livestream at the link below. Rehearsal link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFeefTeVu60 Livestream link: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ny/attica/organization/18238/attica-high-school/schedule?date=2025-03-02T05%3A00%3A00.000Z&range=Week&s=U2NoZWR1bGVFbnRyeVB1YmxpY1N1bW1hcnk2N2M3NWI4MTU2NDM3ZjFiNGQzYTA2Nzg%3D

When that serve comes at you just a LITTLE faster than you were expecting… Thanks to Mr. Spink for being a good sport - more photos from this morning’s student-teacher volleyball match dropping here soon!

GREAT OPPORTUNITY: The Wyoming County Business Education Council has partnered with the Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center and the Genesee County Business Education Alliance to offer a one-day Emergency Medical Services Camp this summer! The camp is open to students who will be entering grades 9-12 in the 2025-26 school year. Camp goers will receive hands-on training from certified EMS professionals and learn about different healthcare-related careers. The camp is July 28 and the application deadline is May 30. Attendance is free, but spots are limited so students shouldn’t wait to register!

Principal Sherry Bennett is our guest ‘Reading Week’ reader for Tuesday. For her book, she chose “Dragons Love Tacos,” by Adam Rubin, illustrations by Daniel Salmieri, to go along with Build-A-Taco day in the cafeteria. Head on over to our YouTube channel at the link below to see Bennett's read aloud. Yum! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLjy86czIj8

It’s Reading Week in Attica Elementary School and we decided to start things off with everyone’s favorite vehicle for gooey goodness - grilled cheese! Art Teacher Sara Lewinski was our guest reader for Monday - she chose “The Big Cheese,” by Jory John to go along with the grilled cheese entree today at lunch. Check out her read aloud over on our YouTube channel at the link below. We hope you’ll encourage your child to choose the main menu item each day this week and dive into the story behind it by following along with these book read-alouds, courtesy of our Attica Elementary School teachers and staff! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KblChnkqPYg

PLEASE SHARE: The Wyoming County Health Department is actively working on the current edition of its Community Health Assessment and is seeking input from county residents by conducting a survey to get a better perspective on the physical health, mental health and social challenges that are experienced by county residents. This survey will also help the county gain a better understanding of what community members want to see the Health Department specifically focus on over the next 3 to 5 years. The more responses the county receives, the more robust its assessment will ultimately be. The survey will remain open until March 31. You can access it in English or Spanish at the links below. Thank you in advance for your participation - together, we can help make Wyoming County a healthier place for everyone! English survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GOWCHA2025 Spanish survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GOWCHA2025Espanol

REMINDER: Our special Reading Week lunch menu kicks off tomorrow down at Attica Elementary School! Our food service staff has teamed up with Principal Sherry Bennett and Food Service Director Kris Wicks to create a special menu that pairs our students’ favorite meals with books to match! We hope you’ll encourage your child to choose the main menu item each day this week and dive into the story behind it! Oh, and don’t forget - lunches are free for all students this school year!

🥞🎉 Did you know that March 3rd - 7th is National School Breakfast Week? At Attica Central Schools, we LOVE breakfast and are proud to offer nourishing menu options to help our students kick-start their day! 🌞🍽️ Each day this week, our cafeterias will be serving up special menu items to celebrate school breakfast, leading up to the introduction of BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE FRIDAYS at Attica Elementary! 🍓🥤 Plus, we’ll have the ever-popular smoothie line at Attica High School and Middle School. 🎉 We’re excited to make breakfast a part of the school day EVERY day, ensuring that NY kids are #PoweredbyBreakfast! 💪 Fact: Kids do better when they start their day with a nutritious breakfast. That's why we’re celebrating #NationalSchoolBreakfastWeek and supporting our students with the morning nutrition they need to THRIVE. 🌟 Join us in celebrating #SchoolBreakfastNY this week! Let’s make sure all our students are fueled for success! 🚀 #NationalSchoolBreakfastWeek #SchoolBreakfastNY #BreakfastForSuccess

Meet our Food Service All-Star for March - Stephanie Hartgrove! Stephanie's dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to delivering the best food service experience are unmatched. Whether it’s working behind the scenes or helping wherever she can, she’s always there with a smile and a can-do attitude. We’re so lucky to have her on the team! “I appreciate her always being eager to help in any way that she can,” said Kayle George, Hartgrove’s co-worker at Attica Elementary. “She shares my desire to provide top-notch food and love to our students, and together we make an excellent team in achieving that. She’s my right-hand lady, for sure!” Elementary School Principal Sherry Bennett called Hartgrave “an amazing asset” and said her positive personality is contagious. “We love the energy that comes from our cafeteria and are thankful for the effort they put in to provide the best experience possible for our students,” said Bennett. Thank you, Stephanie, for everything you do to make our food service top-notch and for always being there to lend a hand. You truly make a difference! #FoodServiceAllStar #Teamwork #AboveAndBeyond

Best of luck to our Attica Blue Devils today at the Section V Track and Field State Qualifiers at Nazareth University! We’ve got 7 student athletes competing tonight: • Tim Lamparelli: Shot put • Preston Bannister: Pole vault • Lauren Nelson: Pole vault • Addyson Zawilski: 4x400-meter relay • Bailey Nixon: 4x400-meter relay • Nichole Leitten: 4x400-meter relay • Amy Ennis: 4x400-meter relay Go get ‘em, Blue Devils!

Earlier this month during Kindness Week, our third grade students collected coins to raise money for the Snack Pantry at Oishei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. The pantry provides patients and their families coffee and treats during their stay so they don’t have to leave the hospital while receiving treatment. Well the coins have been counted and the results are in - our students collected $350! Incredible! Acts of kindness help children develop empathy, compassion, and social skills, while teaching them the value of small, positive actions. These experiences foster a sense of belonging, boost self-esteem, and promote a more positive outlook on life. We really couldn’t be prouder of our third graders - their efforts are going to make a positive difference in the lives of others going through a challenging time. (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Allein)

Our Fresh Connections Club got together earlier this week to bake an Amish Friendship Sourdough Bread! The meeting began with a hands-on baking session using a sourdough starter, introducing the kids to the versatility of sourdough. They had the opportunity to make: • Chocolate Chip Cookies: A unique twist on a classic favorite, using sourdough for extra depth of flavor. • Cinnamon Raisin Bread: A warm, spiced treat perfect for breakfast or snacking. • Traditional Sourdough: Learning the basics of shaping and baking a rustic loaf. Club members participated in mixing, kneading, and shaping their dough while learning about the natural fermentation process that makes sourdough so special. The kitchen was filled with the amazing aroma of fresh-baked goodies as the kids enjoyed tasting their creations! After baking, the meeting shifted gears to gardening, focusing on the importance of growing fresh produce: • Tomatoes and peppers: Each child planted different varieties, learning about their growth cycles and how to care for them. To later be planted in the school gardens. • Herb Planting: Every kid was able to choose an herb (such as basil, parsley, or cilantro) to take home and nurture on their own. Club members were excited to get their hands dirty, plant their seeds, and label their pots. They left with their new plants and a greater appreciation for where their food comes from! This meeting was a wonderful blend of baking and gardening, giving the kids a chance to create delicious treats and start growing fresh ingredients for future meals. They left with homemade goodies, planted seeds, and the knowledge to care for their new herbs at home. (Photos courtesy of Becky Sphar, Jenelle Bauer, Melissa Brooks and Alicia Spoth)

Our indoor track and field teams put up solid performances at the Section V Class B2 Championships this past weekend at Nazareth University as both captured 5th place team finishes. Top finishers for our boys team were: • Elijah Crandall, who took 3rd in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 9.8 seconds and 4th in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 4 inches. • Preston Bannister, who won the pole vault, clearing 11 feet, 6 inches. • Taylor Zimmerman, who took 4th in the shot put with a distance of 43 feet, 1.25 inches and 4th in the weight throw with a distance of 48 feet, 4 inches. • The 4x400-meter relay team of Dylan Ozimek, Preston Bannister, Eli Crandall and Taylor Zimmerman, which took 2nd with a time of 3:59.44. Top finishers for the girls were: • Bailey Nixon, who took 2nd in the 1,000-meter run (2:27.29). • Jaslynne Watts, who took 5th in the 55-meter hurdles (10.09) and 6th in the high jump, clearing 4 feet, 6 inches. • Anna Martino, who took 5th in the high jump, clearing 4 feet, 6 inches, and 5th in the triple jump (30 feet, 10.5 inches). • Lauren Nelson, who took 2nd in the pole vault, clearing 8 feet, 6 inches. • Blakely Pratt, who took 2nd in the long jump with a distance of 15 feet, .25 inches and 4th in the triple hump (30 feet, 11 inches). • The girls 4x400-meter relay team of Bailey Nixon, Addyson Zawilski, Amy Ennis and Ashlyn Beitz, which took 3rd with a time of 4:58.15. Congratulations!

It’s been an eventful week down at Attica Elementary School! In physical education classes, Ms. Biniaszewski's and Ms. Landin's 2nd grade classes participated in a 100-cup stacking challenge to celebrate 100 days of school! On Wednesday, third graders came together for the All-Star Floor Hockey game, organized by Mr. Ianni and Mr. Fromwiller. And today, our first graders marked the 101st day of school with a 101 Dalmatians-themed photo shoot! (Photos courtesy of Shawn Fromwiller and Marcia Danahy)

Don’t worry, Blue Devils. They’ve got this… or do they? Members of our drama club’s “Freaky Friday: A New Musical” cast and crew came together yesterday to give our students a special preview of their upcoming production, and we stopped by to check it out! You can check out a portion of the preview over on our YouTube channel at the link below. “Freaky Friday” debuts TONIGHT - Friday, Feb. 28 - at 7 p.m. in our Performing Arts Center, 3338 East Main Street Rd., Attica. S matinee performance is also scheduled for Saturday, March 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 or $8 for students and will be sold at the door starting at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 and 1:30 p.m. on March 1. “Freaky Friday” follows Katherine and Ellie, a mother and daughter who just can’t seem to understand one another. After magically swapping bodies, Katherine finds herself having to navigate the harsh teachers and drama-filled hallways of daughter Ellie’s high school while daughter Ellie scrambles to ensure her mother Katherine’s long-awaited wedding goes off without a hitch while also keeping her catering business afloat. Will the mother-daughter duo be able to track down that magic hourglass and switch their bodies back in time for Katherine’s wedding and Ellie’s all-important Hunt, a high school right of passage? You’ll have to attend one of our Drama Club’s upcoming productions of “Freaky Friday: The Musical” to find out! Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swAHh-6Ji1U

Give it up for senior Nichole Leitten, who signed her National Letter of Intent this afternoon to attend Alfred State University in the fall! Nichole plans to study nursing and run track for the Pioneers, who compete in the NCAA Division III State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). Nichole’s been a stalwart of our varsity track and field program since the 7th grade. In indoor, she’s a three-time school record holder in the 300-meter dash, the 4x200-meter relay along with Amy Ennis, Jaslynne Watts and Addyson Zawilski and the 4x400-meter relay with Bailey Nixon, Amy and Addyson. In outdoor, she’s a three-time Genesee Region All-Star and was a key contributor on our varsity girls track and field squad that captured three straight Section V Class B2 outdoor track titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023 Heading into her senior outdoor season, Nichole’s already a two-time sectional champion for the Blue Devils. She teamed up with Aleah Brauen, Mia Ficarella and Bailey Nixon to capture the Class B2 4x400-meter relay title in 2023 and, last year, won the 400-meter hurdles - likewise in Class B2. She was also part of the 4x100-meter relay team along with Ellie Cusmano, Mackenzie McLeod and Lily Wheeler that set a new school outdoor record of 52.13 seconds at the Genesee Region Athletic Association Championships in 2024. Congratulations, Nichole - can’t wait to see what you can do this spring in your 6th and final season as a Blue Devil and next year as a Pio!

Few shots from our varsity boys basketball team’s Teacher Appreciation Night over February Break. Shout out to Sue Herman and junior Robert Beck for the photos!

THROWBACK THURSDAY: All the way to… 2 weeks ago (gasp!) when fourth grader Charlotte Eddy wowed us with her homemade Valentine’s box, which she made to resemble Attica Elementary School’s beloved grow towers, Norman and Nancy! Well done, Charlotte! (Photos courtesy of Jessica Edwards)