Avonworth School District News
December 2023
Hi Avonworth Neighbor!
Avonworth students, staff and families gathered in December for a fun-filled evening celebrating Christmas Around the World! The event was a family friendly interactive opportunity to learn about our neighbors' Christmas celebrations and traditions through literature, art and music.
This year, the event featured celebrations from Brazil, France, Greece and Italy.
- Brazil - Color a Santa in shorts.
- France - Decorate a crown.
- Greece - Decorate a boat.
- Italy - Make a fish.
The Hi Neighbor! project is made possible through a partnership with Kidsburgh! Avonworth School District is excited to participate in a "Parents as Allies" project with other districts in our region. Future Hi Neighbor! events will be held in 2024.
Holiday Cards for Heroes
The Red Cross Club embarked on a heartwarming field trip to the Avonworth Primary Center, fostering a meaningful connection between high school, kindergarten and 1st grade students. Together, they crafted heartfelt holiday cards for area veterans, embodying the spirit of compassion and community service.
This successful collaboration not only brightened the season for our nation's heroes, but also left an indelible mark on both the high school and primary school participants, uniting generations through the simple yet profound act of expressing gratitude.
Drama Award Nominees Announced
Nominees were announced for Prime Stage Theatre’s 4th Annual High School Drama Awards, which will take place on Jan. 29, 2024 at New Hazlett Theater.
Avonworth High School is one of the five schools nominated for Best Overall Production! The following students are also nominated for their work.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Ady Burgoyne
Mrs. Paddy in The Curious Savage
BEST STUDENT COSTUME DESIGN AND/OR FABRICATION
Grace Schmigel
The Curious Savage
BEST STUDENT SOUND DESIGN AND/OR OPERATION
Brandon Smidle, Gabe Bernal & Lyra Klinedinst
The Curious Savage
The Drama Awards honor excellence in non-musical plays by student actors, directors, and production crew. Students from 12 area high schools were nominated in 16 categories.
“What makes these awards unique,” says Drama Awards coordinator John Dolphin, “is that to be eligible, the students must be in a backstage leadership role or an onstage performance role. We encourage adult mentorship and assistance, but in the end, these productions are student-run.”
Fall Entrepreneur Night
JAM's fall entrepreneur night was a tremendous success!
There were 35 tables where JAM members sold handmade items. Each entrepreneur donated half of their profits to a charity of their choice.
AMS - A School to Watch
Avonworth Middle School has been re-designated for the fifth time as a Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education Don Eichhorn Schools to Watch 2023-24. They are one of 11 in the state this year.
This is part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. PA Schools to Watch leaders selected the schools for academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structure and processes. Each school was also noted to have strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.
Preparing Every Learner for Tomorrow
The Avonworth School District is proud to be a part of the Western Pennsylvania Learning 2025 Alliance, a cohort of 34 public school districts, that advances student-centered, equity-focused, future-driven school systems that prepare every learner for tomorrow.
Co-led by Pittsburgh-area superintendents and AASA, the School Superintendents Association, the Alliance convenes for workshops and professional development facilitated by world-class experts. With support from The Grable Foundation, these 34 districts are reimagining education and showing the world what school could be.
Kidsburgh Feature: World of Work
We are excited to be able to offer the World of Work program to Avonworth students! This opportunity is possible thanks to generous funding from the Grable Foundation.
Artistic Talents Features in Film
Thank you to Avonworth junior Lucy Jacobs for filming and producing this video that features the artistic talents of our high school students.
Winter Weather Plan
With winter approaching, we enter that time of the year when the weather could impact our school schedule. As we prepare for the possibility of weather-related delays and closings, we want to make sure families are as prepared as possible.
We will shift to remote instruction if we need to close our schools due to inclement weather. All students in grades K-12 will attend classes remotely. A remote learning day will run on a two-hour delay schedule for all students K-12. Remote instruction will begin for middle and high school students at 10:00 AM and primary and elementary students at 11:00 AM. The extra time in the morning will help teachers prepare for the remote learning day and give students any additional time they might need to complete work – or play in the snow!
All Avonworth schools will operate on a two-hour delay schedule if we call for a delay. If your child takes the bus, their pick-up time will be two hours later than normal.
If we have to delay school or move to remote instruction due to inclement weather, the information will be shared in the following ways:
- The Avonworth School District website (www.avonworth.k12.pa.us)
- School Messenger (call and email)
- Facebook (www.facebook.com/AvonworthSD)
- Twitter (https://twitter.com/avonworthschool)
- Instagram (www.instagram.com/avonworthsd)
- Local news stations (WPXI, WTAE, KDKA)
To assist with answering additional questions you may have concerning school delays and closures, please review this Closing/Delay Frequently Asked Questions.
Please use our website (www.avonworth.k12.pa.us) as your official source for information.
Have a Safe and Restful Break
Happy holidays! With winter break upon us, we encourage you to relax, unwind, and settle into a safe and restful break.
The holiday season is a time for togetherness and joy, but it can sometimes bring unwelcome guests, like stress and grief. Some of us may be experiencing the holidays without a loved one. Some of us may be balancing endless to-do lists from shopping to entertaining. While we each celebrate this season’s joys, it’s important to stay mindful, acknowledge our feelings, and reach out for help if needed.
To help keep your holidays bright, below are helpful resources. We encourage you to save these resources so you can easily reference them should you or a family member need help.
Avonworth School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of our community. If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs, regardless of the circumstance. This is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Avonworth School District. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a mental health care provider:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
- Visit www.caresolace.com/avonworth and either search on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
May you enjoy your break and return rested and reinvigorated for a fantastic new year!
Winter Sports Passes Available
The Avonworth Athletic Department is pleased to once again offer our 'Lopes supporters the option to purchase individual sport passes and season passes for home varsity girls' and boys' basketball contests. Both individual and family passes are available. With a family pass, four members of your family may access each contest.
Click here to purchase your passes online. No hard tickets or passes will be issued. All passes are digital and will be scanned at the front gate by our ticket takers.
If you have any questions or challenges using the system, please contact Andrea Patton at apatton@avonworth.k12.pa.us.
We are excited to offer this option for the winter and can't wait to see you out supporting all of our winter sports this season.
'Lopes Up!
Unified Flag Football Featured in Post-Gazette
Avonworth students are among students from seven local school districts, some with special needs, that took part in the second annual Unified Flag Football Day!
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette featured the special day. Read about it here.
Player of the Month!
Congratulations to Conner Ralston of the Avonworth Antelopes Hockey Team! He is November's PIHL Player of the Month.
Construction Update
Dear Avonworth School Community,
I hope this message finds you well and ready to enjoy a restful and enjoyable holiday break.
As a reminder, Avonworth schools will be closed from December 25, 2023 through January 1, 2024. School will resume on January 2, 2024.
I'd also like to update you on our construction project as we close out 2023. The project continues to progress on time. The next significant portion of the project that will be completed at the end of December is the new middle and high school administrative addition. Included in the addition will be the new main entrance and office for the middle and high school, the athletic director's office, the nurse's suite, and the counseling suite.
The new main entrance and office for the middle and high school will open on Monday, January 8, 2024. Also on January 8th, the new corridor in the addition will be open for students and faculty. This corridor will connect the main section of the building with the middle and high school cafeteria area.
If you'd like to view the progress of the new addition and other aspects of the project, please use the links below to see the November and December updates from our Construction Manager.
View the November 30th Update.
View the December 20th Update.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Jeffrey M. Hadley, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Avonworth School District