Avonworth School District News
March 2024
Congratulations Drama Department
Congratulations to the cast and crew of the Avonworth Drama Department's production of Into the Woods for two straight weekends of fantastic performances!
Photographs by: Jodi Walsh Photography
Community Supports Night at the Museum
On Friday evening, March 1, hundreds of members of the Avonworth community attended the annual "Night at the Museum" hosted by 8th Grade Civics students at the Heinz History Center.
The theme for the evening was "Civil Rights - Overcoming Adversity" and students delivered presentations on both historical and contemporary topics related to those themes.
Students also created and shared artwork with an audience that included family, friends, teachers, school administration, and other invited guests.
Throughout the project, students gained insight and feedback from their ELA teachers, Gifted Support Teacher, Art Teacher, guest speakers from Teen Screen, and History Center staff.
All of their hard work and preparation was on display for the Avonworth Community this evening.
Check out the KDKA News coverage of the event as well.
Back In Time
Our fourth graders are going back in time to learn about a major historical event.
Students are studying The Boston Tea Party with a hands on approach. They chose a colonial job and then studied, researched, and presented their job to other students in the school.
The book, Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak, is a beautifully written first-person narrative that shares the thoughts of everyday Bostonians on the eve of the Boston Tea Party. Students learn to differentiate first-person and third-person narration, as well as how people’s life experiences, such as their occupations, shape their perspectives about controversial topics.
Odyssey of the Mind Sees Success
Thirty-six Avonworth students from grades K-7 demonstrated their creative problem solving skills at the Western PA Odyssey of the Mind competition at Keystone Oaks High School.
Incredibly, four of our teams advanced to the State Finals (April 6 in the Poconos) by finishing 1st or 2nd in their respective problem area and age group:
- 1st place for "Classics" problem (Division 2): Max Genovese, Gabby Kuzma, Lily Michael, Skylar Patberg, Evia Shea, Gabe van Mater, Charlie Vaughan
- 1st place for "Vehicle" problem (Division 2): Rosie Glidden, Trinity Klicker, Matilda Mackillop, Kate Paulat, Max Paulat, Timmy Wrona
- 2nd place for "Performance" problem (Division 1): Mason Creagh, Carolyn Denning, Adalynn Ficca, Eli Fussner, Abe Outly, Vada Panuski, Vincenzo Pascuzzi
- 2nd place for "Classics" problem (Division 1): Ved Bansal, Liam Curlis, Lydia Klein, Cordelia Rice, Noemie Rice, August Teague [This team also earned an OMER award for demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship and exemplary behavior!]
Honorable mentions are also deserved for our other Avonworth teams:
- Our Primary Team that successfully solved their problem (but is not eligible for advancing): Rishi Bansal, Beatrix Coudriet, Elouise Coudriet, Lydia Ficca, Elizabeth Logeman, Tristan Railing
- Division 2 "Performance" team who competed with only four team members: McKayla Angeles, Sheridan King, Daniel O'Neil, Mary Pastore
Congratulations to all!
Creative and Confident Performance
APC's Odyssey of the Mind team had a successful March!
Even though the Primary teams are not formally scored, nor are they eligible to advance to further competitions, this team got great feedback from their judges, and came together as a team to deliver a creative and confident performance.
Kudos to Coach Greg Coudriet and his team: Beatrix Coudriet, Elizabeth Logeman, Rishi Bansal, Eloise Coudriet, and Tristan Railing.
APC is so proud of you!
Students Experience Mock Trial
High school students attended a district magistrate mock trial summary simulation.
Students were each issued a simulated citation, and the Honorable Tara Smith heard and explained each case. Officers from Ohio Township, Allegheny County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania assisted in the trials.
Thanks to all of the justice professionals who made this day possible!
Young Musicians Showcase Talents
They're making beautiful music together!
The fourth grade band students recently had their very first full band rehearsal. Great job to our youngest musicians!
Meanwhile, the sixth grade band welcomed guest conductor, Dr. Jason Worzbyt from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania School of Music, to work with the students.
Chase the Antelopes 5K - Register Today!
Time is running out for discounted Early Registration for the 6th Annual Chase the Antelopes 5k & One-Mile Run!
Sign up at www.chasetheantelopes5k.com before April 1 for just $20 and get a guaranteed t-shirt at the event.
Support the Class of 2028 and the Hannah Milbert Memorial Fund. Sponsorship opportunities are still available too. Don't wait!
Senior Showcase
We're proud of the Avonworth Class of 2024 and know they're destined to do great things. Check out our Senior Showcase to learn more about our graduating class!
Congratulations and best wishes to the Avonworth Class of 2024!
Care Solace is Here for YOU
April is Stress Awareness Month—a timely reminder to prioritize mental health and well-being. In the midst of academic demands and daily responsibilities, it's crucial for both students and staff to take moments throughout the day to reset and practice mindfulness.
Remember to take some breaks. Step outside, take a few deep breaths, or engage in a quick mindfulness exercise. Your well-being is paramount, and these small breaks can make a significant difference in managing stress. Allow these moments to rejuvenate your mind, so you can have a focused and productive study session.
Remember, your mental health matters, and taking proactive steps to manage stress is a sign of strength. If you or someone you know needs support, Care Solace is available 24/7/365 for confidential mental health care coordination:
- Call: 888-515-0595 (Multilingual support available)
- Visit: www.caresolace.com/avonworth
Take the time you need, practice mindfulness, and thrive.
Incredible Performance
Congratulations to our Avonworth / Northgate Swim Team for an award winning performance at the PIAA 2A Championship meet over the weekend.
Girls Team: Overall finished in 5th place
Elise Nardozzi - Silver Medals in both 100 Freestyle and 200 Freestyle (Broke her school record in the 200 Free)
Lilia MacKenzie - 8th place medal in 1M Diving - 1st PIAA Girls Diving Medal for the Program
200 Freestyle Relay (Kendall McKelvey (NG), Rachel Buzzard, Amelia Hardiman, Elise Nardozzi) - 4th place
400 Freestyle Relay (Kendall McKelvey (NG), Katie Petrina, Amelia Hardiman and Elise Nardozzi) - Gold Medal
Boys Team: Overall finished in 3rd place
Sam Cavanaugh - 6th place 200 Individual Medley and 9th place 500 Freestyle
Isaac Stoeckle - 9th place 100 Backstroke
Zach Schuster - 4th place 100 Butterfly and Bronze Medal 100 Breastroke (Broke both of his school records)
200 Medley Relay - (Isaac Stoeckle, Zach Schuster, Sam Cavanaugh, Sam Kohler) - Bronze Medal also breaking the school record
400 Freestyle Relay - (Isaac Stoeckle, Sam Kohler, Sam Cavanaugh, Zach Schuster) - 7th place also breaking the school record
Girls’ Basketball Ends 14 Year PIAA Quarterfinal Playoff Drought
For the first time since 2010, the Lady 'Lopes earned a bid to the PIAA quarterfinals after a 59-44 win over Forest Hills High School. Unfortunately, the 'Lopes were outmatched in the quarterfinal matchup against Mercyhurst Prep, 54-41. The girls concluded their season at 24-3, which included another Section Title and WPIAL 3A Runner-Up Title.
Baseball and Softball Head South for Season Openers
The baseball and softball teams headed down to South Carolina and Florida, respectively, last week to officially begin their 2023-2024 campaigns.
'Lopes varsity baseball finished 3-3 and 'Lopes JV finished 3-2 for the week at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach. The softball team ended their trip with KSA in Orlando with a 2-2 overall record. Both teams got to see some great competition and plenty of sunshine.
Good luck in section play, ‘Lopes!
Construction Update
Dear Avonworth School Community,
I'm excited to share another update on our construction project progress in the video, which is linked below. I hope you enjoy!
View the March 2024 construction update video.
View the construction website.
Jeffrey M. Hadley, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Avonworth School District
Avonworth Students to Participate in Pittsburgh Kids Marathon
We are excited to share that Avonworth is participating in the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon on May 4, 2024!
Please refer to the flyer for information and directions to sign up. It's very important to register your students for Kids of Steel (with either AES or APC) when you sign up. By registering your child with Avonworth, your race rib and shirt will be distributed at school and you don't have to go to the Convention Center to pick them up. Race time will not be determined until closer to the event date but we will run sometime during the morning of May 4th.
Please also check out the Kids of Steel website for training ideas, events and ways to log your child’s training so that they complete 25 miles before the culminating 1.2 mile event. This is not required, but a fun opportunity to keep your kids active outside of school leading up to the event.
If you have any questions, please contact Kbuttenfield@avonworth.k12.pa.us or kedwards@avonworth.k12.pa.us.
Kennywood Day!
Avonworth School District's 2024 Kennywood Day is May 11.
There is an early bird ticket offer available for Avonworth School District community members now through April 30th. To purchase Kennywood tickets at a discounted price, follow the steps below.
Purchase instructions to visit on May 11 for as low as $31.99.
- Go to www.kennywood.com/schools.
- Enter your ‘2024 School Ticket’ ticket quantity.
- Enter Promo Code avonworth in the ‘Promotional Code’ box, then click ‘Apply’.
- Click ‘Continue’ to advance to the ticket calendar. Select May 11 to apply the discount offer, then click ‘Continue’.
- Select May 11th again, then click ‘Continue’.
- Click ‘Continue’ to advance and complete the remaining steps to purchase your tickets!
Purchase instructions to visit any date through July 14th for $37.99.
- Go to www.kennywood.com/schools.
- Enter your ‘2024 School Ticket’ ticket quantity.
- Enter Promo Code avonworthflex in the ‘Promotional Code’ box, then click ‘Apply’.
- Click ‘Continue’ to advance to the ticket calendar. Select any visit day through July 14th to apply the discount offer, then click ‘Continue’.
- Select your visit date again, then click ‘Continue’.
- Click ‘Continue’ to advance and complete the remaining steps to purchase your tickets!
*Good Any Day tickets will only be available for purchase March 1st – June 30th.
Kindergarten Registration Now Open
Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2024-2025 school year!
Click the here for the registration packet and much more.