Congratulations to APC first grade teacher, Mrs. Russell, on being named the WTAE Channel 4 Teacher of the Month for February!

Congratulations to Avonworth High School senior, Emma Noss, on being named a National Merit Finalist!

Out of more than 1.3 million students, Emma is among less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide to earn this prestigious honor.

Our very own Becky Marszalek is a top 5 finalist for the National Education Association Education Support Professional of the year!

Click here to read more.

Congratulations to these incredible third-grade inventors! Maclan, Isaac, Eloise, and Tristan showcased their innovative creation, The Foodie, at February's School Board meeting before they headed to Hershey, PA to compete in the Pennsylvania Invention Convention!

Thank you to their amazing teachers, Irene Pendel and Rebecca Kolesar, for all their guidance and support in bringing this project to life. We can't wait to see how they do in the competition!

Students at APC are diving into the world of engineering through NoRILLA Mixed Reality Learning (AI) in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University!

In Jana Stahl's STEM class, students in grades K-2 are engaging in hands-on activities designed to teach them about the Engineering Design Process. Using NoRILLA's interactive learning modes—"Play," "Test my Tower," and "Compete"—students explore key engineering concepts while having fun.

As part of this exciting partnership, NoRILLA's Founder, Nesra Yannier, will offer guidance and insights on how to maximize this cutting-edge learning experience for APC students.

In celebration of Black History Month and the Special Olympics, our district focused on Inclusivity.

Students from APC, AES, AMS, and AHS worked together to create a Kindness Chain—a series of colorful paper links representing acts of kindness.

This chain now hangs proudly in front of our Lopes Lounge, symbolizing how we are all connected through kindness. It’s a reminder that we can build a more inclusive and compassionate community, one link at a time.

On February 14, APC brought the RIASEC letters to life in an exciting, hands-on event that involved the entire school community.

Students across all grades spent the morning building, graphing, advertising, designing, solving, and giving back—each through a different RIASEC activity.

Each student was assigned to a group made up of Kindergarten, First, and Second Graders, and the groups rotated between three different RIASEC-themed stations. This experience not only allowed students to collaborate with peers from different grades but also helped them explore their own learning styles through the lens of the RIASEC model.

The excitement was palpable as students moved from classroom to classroom, working with new friends and teachers. Many students shared their thoughts after the event:

• "I made a new friend."
• "I met new teachers."
• "I liked helping the younger students."
• "The activities really made me think."

The day was an incredible success, marking APC's first-ever whole-school RIASEC party.

Congratulations to the talented Avonworth Middle and High School students who were recognized in the prestigious Scholastic Writing Awards!

This is the nation’s longest-running and most esteemed recognition program for creative teens, and these students are proof of the incredible talent we have right here in our community.

Shoutout to these amazing writers for their hard work and creativity! From Gold Keys to Silver Keys to Honorable Mentions, your passion for storytelling is inspiring. We’re so proud of you!

Read more about these award winners!

Congratulations to seniors Zori Soles and Ari McCarson for earning Silver Keys in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards!

Their stunning pieces—Decomposition (Ari), Drowning (Zori), and Etched in Time (Zori)—will be featured at the Scholastic Art Show at Carnegie Mellon Fine Arts Building on March 9th from 11-3.

Congratulations to Lyra Klinedinst and Ella Ging, who were finalists in the Shakespeare Scene and Monologue Contest sponsored by the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

They performed a scene from The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Bravo!

Congratulations to the A.W. Beattie Career Center Students of the Month from Avonworth High School.

December/January: Cole Selders, Eva Roedersheimer and Lexi Mannion.

January/February: Adelina Stover, Logan Monroe and Steven Aguilar.

Special congratulations to Steven Aguilar for earning 1st place in the SkillsUSA District's Employment Application Process competition. Steven will be representing at the state level this spring.

On February 27, the CLO Gallery of Heroes visited the Avonworth Primary Center for a performance entitled “The Next Galileo.”

The students had the opportunity to experience a musical performance as well as learn the science behind Galileo’s many discoveries. Throughout the month of February, investigations and library classes have been exploring Galileo and his importance in the field of math and science. Through reading and hands-on experiences, students had a strong understanding of Galileo and were prepared for an incredible performance from the CLO.

On Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, Avonworth High School, in partnership with the North Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and KeyBank, successfully coordinated a Career Fair/Future-Ready Showcase for students in grades 9-12.

More than 45 local businesses, schools, and industry partners gathered to provide valuable insights into future career paths, volunteer opportunities, and job experiences.

The event aimed to help students explore a variety of fields and better prepare them for the next step in their academic and professional journeys.

We are excited to announce that Mary's Gate, an Avonworth Community Food Pantry, has received a generous $1,000 donation from Pittsburgh Regional Food Services Directors (PRFSD).

Thank you to Melissa Schad, ASD's Food Service Director, for nominating this wonderful program. This donation will help further support their mission to provide food and resources to families in need within our district.

Mary’s Gate, a FREE Grab & Go lunch program, operates out of Assumption Church and offers bagged lunches and a food pantry on the last Saturday of each month. We’re proud to partner with this amazing community resource to support our students and their families.

Thank you, PRFSD, for your generosity and dedication to the well-being of our students!

February was Dental Health Month. From watching an educational video to receiving dental health goody bags, the students are all set for healthy smiles!

Thank you to Rhoades Orthodontics for helping our APC students learn the importance of taking care of their teeth!

Thank you to Avonworth High School student Jase Klatzkin for filming and producing this video about World of Work at Avonworth.

Thank you to Avonworth High School student Lucy Jacobs for filming and producing this video about the new clubs at AHS. Watch it here:

Thank you to Avonworth High School student Dylan Lope for filming and producing this video about the Career Expo.

After 33 years in law enforcement, including 25 years with the Ohio Township Police Department, Corp. Chris Simcoviak will retire in March 2025.

He has served as Avonworth’s School Resource Officer (SRO) for the past 17 years, making a lasting impact on the school community. His final day at Avonworth will be March 14, 2025.

Throughout his career, Corp. Simcoviak has been dedicated to public safety and education. Before joining Avonworth, he served as an SRO at Holy Family Institute. He has also worked as a Crime Prevention Officer, a D.A.R.E. Officer, and an investigator specializing in domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault cases.

Corp. Simcoviak began his law enforcement career in 1993 as a part-time officer with the West Deer Township and Ohio Township Police Departments. In 1996, he transitioned to a full-time position in Kilbuck Township before joining the Ohio Township Police Department as a full-time officer on August 1, 2000.

He will officially retire from Avonworth School District in March, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication. Thank you to Corp. Simcoviak for his service to our students, staff, families and community.

We are excited to welcome our new SRO to Avonworth in March. Officer Laura Andreakos has been on the police force for four years. She will begin following Corp. Simcoviak's retirement. Please keep an eye out for more information about Officer Andreakos as we welcome her as our next SRO!

Congratulations to 'Lopes varsity basketball coach Joe Frank, who has been honored as the KDKA Super 7 Coach of the Year for 4A!

This prestigious award recognizes his outstanding leadership, dedication, and the success of our basketball team. Coach Frank’s hard work and commitment to excellence have truly made a positive impact on our athletes and school community.

We’re proud to have him lead our team to such great achievements!

The Lady 'Lopes secured a spot in the PIAA playoffs for the fourth year in a row, defeating Quaker Valley 56-51 on February 21st.

In a standout moment, senior guard Greta O’Brien tied the girls basketball all-time scoring record with 1,589 points, matching Kelli Costa’s achievement. The victory not only solidified their playoff berth, but also showcased O’Brien’s remarkable career, as the Lady Lopes prepare for an exciting postseason run.

Congratulations to Auston Kosanovic for becoming the first wrestler in Avonworth history to win a WPIAL title. Also, congratulations to varsity head coach Zach Maisner who was named Section 6 AA Varsity Coach of the Year and to the junior high head coach Ryan Schmiedlin who earned Section 6 AA Junior High Coach of the Year honors!

In other highlights - the team finished with a 2-4 record at the Pine Richland Duals, marking their last team event of the season before the individual postseason begins. They defeated Hempfield 37-29 and Carrick 48-16, showcasing solid performances. The Lopes were the only AA team entered in the event—great job to the entire team!

District 7 AA Sections North Highlights:

• Fifth Place Finishers:

  • 133 lbs: Dylan Jones (Keystone Oaks) won by forfeit over Michael Tabano
  • 152 lbs: Angelo Valeriano won by forfeit over Brayden McGowan (Knoch)
  • 160 lbs: Dimitri Velisaris dec. Trey Dunlap (Quaker Valley), 3-1

• Third Place Finishers:

  • 145 lbs: Scott Huffmyer (North Catholic) dec. Luke Maddalena, 6-0
  • 215 lbs: Braiden Sudor (Carlynton) dec. Justin Beck, 4-0

• Championship Finals:

• 121 lbs: Auston Kosanovic pinned Jonah Hostutler (Keystone Oaks), 2:25
• 189 lbs: ZeShawn Williams (Freedom Area) pinned Bryce Metz, 4:53

Auston Kosanovic becomes a three-time section champion!

District 7 AA WPIAL Tournament Results:

• Seventh Place Finishers:

  • 189 lbs: Bryce Metz tech. fall over Aaron Supler (McGuffey), 16-1 4:51
  • 215 lbs: Justin Beck tech. fall over Noah Taylor (Central Valley), 17-1 2:32

• Championship Finals:

• 121 lbs: Auston Kosanovic maj. dec. Carter Thomas (Burrell), 13-1

Jr. High State Tournament Qualifiers:

• Logan Krul – 1st at 147 lbs
• Xavier Harding – 1st at 212 lbs
• Braylon Brown – 2nd at 192 lbs
• Robert Huffmyer – 4th at 172 lbs

The team will head to the State Tournament the last weekend of the month. Best of luck to all the athletes competing!

With the regular season behind them, 17 swimmers from the Northgate-Avonworth swim team competed at the WPIAL AA Swimming Championships at Trees Pool, University of Pittsburgh, on February 27-28. These talented "Flame-a-lopes" earned their spots where they faced off against competitors from 40+ high schools.

Here’s a look at the swimmers and their events (relays may have been adjusted on the day of the meet):

• Mohamed Abouwafia (Fr.) – Alternate
• Conor Blaser (Jr.) – 100 Breaststroke
• Claire Boughton (Sr.) – 200 Medley Relay, 100 Butterfly, 200 Free Relay, 100 Backstroke
• Rachel Buzzard (So.) – 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 200 Free Relay
• Bridget Campbell (Fr.) – 200 Medley Relay, 50 Free, 100 Butterfly, 400 Free Relay
• Nate Campbell (Sr.) – 200 Free Relay, 100 Free, 100 Breaststroke
• Sam Cavanaugh (Sr.) – 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 500 Free, 400 Free Relay
• JoAnn Cook (Fr.) – 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free, 100 Back, 400 Free Relay
• Caleb Gratner (Sr.) – 50 Free, 200 Free Relay, 100 Back, 400 Free Relay
• Addison Hase (Fr.) – 200 Free, 500 Free, 400 Free Relay
• Liam Joyce (So.) – 200 Free, 200 Free Relay, 100 Free
• Kaitlyn Klaum (Fr.) – 200 IM
• Kacey LaVelle (Sr.) – 200 Free, 200 Free Relay
• Greyson McKelvey (Fr.) – 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free, 500 Free, 400 Free Relay
• Nate Parker (So.) – 200 IM, 200 Free Relay, 100 Breaststroke
• Katie Petrina (Sr.) – 50 Free, 200 Free Relay, 100 Free, 400 Free Relay
• Jakob Vranick (Jr.) – 200 Medley Relay, 100 Butterfly, 500 Free, 400 Free Relay

Impressive Highlights:

• Sam Cavanaugh is the top seed in both the 200 IM (1:54.58) and 500 Free (4:39.85).
• JoAnn Cook (Fr.) is the 3rd seed in the 200 Free (1:57.99) and 100 Back (58.23).
• Greyson McKelvey (Fr.) is also the 3rd seed in the 200 Free (1:46.32).

Way to go Flame-a-lopes!

As you know, we have reached the end of the construction and renovation project. We would like to invite all members of our school community to stop by the secondary campus for a Community Open House on April 22, 2025 between 5:30 and 8:30 PM to tour the renovated high school and new middle school addition. Not only will you be able to tour the building, there will be opportunities to enjoy student performances throughout the evening.

If you would like to look back on any of the information that was shared throughout the project, please visit our website.

Thank you to our faculty, staff, students, parents and community for their flexibility throughout this project!

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open!

Is your child turning five (5) years old before September 1, 2025? It's time to register for kindergarten! If you know a child in your neighborhood who will be five years old before Sept. 1, we'd appreciate if you would kindly share this information.

Registration Details:

Parents/guardians should plan to register their child in January 2025.

Visit our website for all the necessary forms and details.

Completed registration packets can be dropped off between 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM daily at APC.

Kindergarten Round Up Informational Session:

Date: Thursday, March 6th
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: APC Cafe

We look forward to welcoming your little one to the Avonworth School District!

On Friday, March 21, 8th grade civics students will hold their annual "Night at the Museum" at the Heinz History Center from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Eighth grade civics students collaborated with the Heinz History Center over the past two months to create projects about overcoming adversity, exploring themes from exhibits like "From Slavery to Freedom" and "Western Pennsylvania Sports."

In March, several docents from the museum will be working with the students to help them learn the communication skills needed in order to be effective museum docents.

After all of this preparation, students will be ready for their public exhibition at the Heinz History Center on Friday, March 21, 2025. That night, the museum will open its doors for an exclusive Avonworth community event from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. During that time, our students will serve as expert docents for their project topics and artwork.

You are cordially invited to the Heinz History Center to take part in this unique student-led event on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. On that evening, admission to the History Center is complimentary for all Avonworth community guests.

The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street in the Strip District. While admission to the museum this evening is complimentary, regular downtown parking fees will apply.

We hope that you can join us for Avonworth’s “Night at the Museum” on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Our High School yearbook store is now live for those who would like to purchase a yearbook. Last year we sold out and some families were unable to secure a book after the window for purchasing closed, so the sooner you buy the better.

Click here to purchase a yearbook.

Our "job number" is 4285. The store will be live until the first week of April.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me email sjames@avonworth.k12.pa.us.

International Social Emotional Learning Day on March 10th is a way to celebrate the way SEL is “Uplifting Hearts, Connecting Minds.” Studies show SEL reduces stress and promotes self-regulation, self-awareness, social awareness, decision-making, and relationship building. Here are some specific examples of how SEL can positively impacts students:

• Higher levels of empathy
• Increased social confidence
• Better attitude about school
• More responsible decisions
• Better recognition of emotions

When your student is able to recognize difficult emotions and would like help finding a mental health care provider for them, use Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Avonworth School District:

• Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
• Visit caresolace.com/avonworth and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Our goal is for our students to feel uplifted hearts and connected minds!

Avonworth School District is hiring for several positions. Visit our website for a full list of job openings. Applicants should contact Kristen Butler at kbutler@avonworth.k12.pa.us or visit our website for more information and to apply. EOE