Civics Students Focus on Elections
Avonworth 8th grade civics students are now likely some of the best-informed citizens in Pennsylvania when it comes to the 2024 General Election, even if they aren't yet old enough to vote.
For the past four weeks, students have taken on the role of undecided voters in a crucial swing state by learning as much as possible about the candidates for President, Vice President and US Senate.
First, students watched campaign commercials from both presidential candidates and identified how each is using propaganda techniques to influence voters. Next, the class watched presidential or vice-presidential candidates take the stage for a debate and took detailed notes on the candidates' responses to questions, their body language, and how they handled pressure. Then, students carefully examined each senate candidates' websites to see how they used photographs and text to appeal to certain blocs of voters. Finally, students closely analyzed both presidential candidates' speeches at political rallies and fundraisers on topics such as taxes, immigration, and education.
Additionally, students have learned how the electoral college works, the different methods of voting in Pennsylvania, and how very close elections have been in the past. While these 8th grade students are not yet old enough to vote, they have certainly practiced the role of being a well-informed citizen ready to participate in the democratic process in just a few years!
Student Musicians Shine at PMEA Auditions
Congratulations to the students who placed in the PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association) Honors and District Band!
These four students placed in the top percentage out of the nearly 600 students who auditioned to earn places at both PMEA Honors Band (grades 9-12) and PMEA District Band (grades 10-12):
Vanessa Amayo (flute), Kaleb Amick (horn), Colin Anderson (trombone), Maddie Hanlon (flute).
Justin Herleman (clarinet) qualified for Honors Band as a freshman which is an especially rare achievement!
In addition to the students above, these students also placed well enough to be selected to District Band:
Evelyn Mattie (clarinet), Zach Konieczki (trombone), Ben Cavanaugh (tuba)
In addition to all of those students, another three AHS students placed in the top 10-15 chairs of their instrument family and are on standby as alternates.
According to Mr. Cory Neville, ASD’s Director of Bands (Grades 7-12), Director of Orchestras (Grades 7-8), and Marching Band Co-Director, having 11 total students from the same school of Avonworth's size place in the top 10-20% of all of the auditioning students is not typical and is objectively outstanding. Neville says, "Thank you for all your investment in and support of this program--these are tangible positive results of that investment and support, and I'm looking forward to sharing future positive results as these students make their way through the different levels of competition."
Great job to these musicians!
Mr. Tuffiash Receives PSBA Innovative Teacher Award
The Avonworth School District is proud to announce that Mr. Scott Tuffiash, a high school English teacher, won the 2024 Innovative Teacher Award. Mr. Tuffiash, who has been a dedicated educator since 2007, is also the leader of the English department’s curriculum development team.
His journey to this recognition began two years ago, when OpenAI released ChatGPT. As discussions on AI use in education began within the district, Mr. Tuffiash felt a strong need to fully understand this emerging tool before teaching his students. Committed to excellence, he embarked on extensive research, consulting with experts across multiple professions to grasp not only how AI works but also the ethical considerations surrounding its use.
As a result of this research, Mr. Tuffiash developed two groundbreaking courses: "AI & Ethics" and "Human Flourishing," designed to equip students with both technical understanding and ethical insight into artificial intelligence. His work ensures that Avonworth students receive a comprehensive education on AI, preparing them for success in an increasingly digital world.
Dr. Jillian Bichsel, Avonworth’s assistant superintendent who nominated Mr. Tuffiash for the award, highlighted his exceptional dedication to curriculum innovation and student success.
"We’re incredibly fortunate to have a teacher like Mr. Tuffiash in our district," Dr. Bichsel remarked. "His commitment to preparing students for the future is truly inspiring."
Congratulations to Mr. Tuffiash on this well deserved honor.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Middle School Social Studies teachers recently observed Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) in their classrooms. Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual observance intended to celebrate the achievements, histories, traditions, diversity, and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
In 7th Grade World Cultures, they will soon be celebrating the Day of the Dead, a celebration of cultural heritage, which UNESCO added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2008. Students will be seeing how those of Hispanic Heritage celebrate by learning the historical significance of the holiday. Students will participate in creating milagros, paper flowers, and decorating sugar skulls.
In 8th Grade Civics, students read a poem entitled “The US of Us” written by Latino-American author, Richard Blanco. Mr. Blanco has written about the immigrant experience in America and read his work at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. As students read his poem, they connected our nation’s immigration history with current events and analyzed the impact that imagery can have in storytelling.
Avonworth Cafeterias Celebrate Hindu Heritage Month
The Avonoworth Food Service Department’s Cultural Connections meal celebrated Hindu Heritage this month.
Our secondary cafeteria offered Chicken Tikka Masala or Chana Masala with Mumbai Rice, Chickpea salad, Aloo Gobi Salad and Naan bread.
Our elementary cafeterias served a student favorite, popcorn chicken, with an accompaniment of tandoori dipping sauce and Naan bread. Student vegetable selections also included chickpea and Aloo Gobi salad.
Girl Scouts Work to Create a Cleaner World
They're working together to create a cleaner world!
Girl Scout Troop 16842 was invited to a special celebratory lunch in the Primary Center lunch room to use brand new reusable lunch trays. Thanks to the troop, single-use plastic trays have been replaced with these reusables to reduce waste.
This was made possible through a collaboration between the troop, the Pennsylvania Resources Council, and the Avonworth Primary Center’s cafeteria staff. PRC connected the cafeteria staff to the Plastic Free Restaurants program that provided free reusable metal trays. The Troop held a garage sale to raise money for the cafeteria to purchase drying racks to allow the school district to have the capacity go fully reusable on trays for every lunch period.
Thank you to Dr. Miller, Mrs. Schad, and troop leaders for working with the troop over a 4 month period to accomplish this task.
National Farm to School Month
Avonworth Cafeterias celebrated PA Preferred Day.
This day spotlights PA grown and processed agricultural products. Avonworth students that participated in the school meal program on Friday, October 25, supported local farmers and their families and helped the local economy.
An abundance of PA produce was procured from local farms including purple daikon radishes, green peppers, Sungold cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, butternut squash, kale, red beets and potatoes.
Cafeteria staff made a beautiful salad containing butternut squash, kale and whole grain farro.
The beets were roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and the other vegetables were served raw to highlight their freshness.
- Country View Farms, Knox, PA
- Nature’s Choice Organic Produce, Rimersburg, PA
- Hidden Valley Farm, Parker, PA
- Nardone Pizza, Hanover, PA
- Peterson Apples, Dauberville, PA
- Schneider’s Dairy, Pittsburgh, PA
Child Hunger Hero Award
We are excited to announce that the Avonworth School District has been named a winner of the 2024 Child Hunger Hero Award. ASD is proud to be able to feed kids in our community.
For more on this award, click here.
World of Work Introduced at APC
Primary students have an exciting and valuable learning opportunity with the implementation of RIASEC, a framework that allows students to identify the best career path. RIASEC, which stands for Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional, will assess personality traits and preferences. APC joins students in grades 3-8 already using the RIASEC framework this year.
The aim is to empower students with the knowledge and tools to make well-informed decisions about their educational and career paths. Here's how the RIASEC model will benefit them:
- Self-Discovery: RIASEC will help your child gain insights into their interests, preferences, and strengths. Understanding these aspects of themselves is crucial in setting meaningful goals and pursuing a fulfilling career.
- Career Exploration: By identifying their primary RIASEC types, your child will have a clearer understanding of which careers align with their personality traits. This knowledge can guide them when choosing their future educational and career paths. Students will explore at minimum six different careers each year that align with each of the six RIASEC types.
- Personal Growth: Learning about RIASEC is not limited to career choices. It also supports personal growth by encouraging self-awareness and the development of essential life skills.
- Better Decision-Making: Armed with knowledge about their RIASEC types, your child will be better equipped to make informed decisions regarding their education and career. This can lead to greater satisfaction and success in their chosen paths.
Throughout the school year, teachers and counselors will guide children through various activities related to RIASEC.
To see what your own RIASEC themes are, you can take the RIASEC survey through the following link: https://enrolluhmc.com/riasec/
Senior Football Players Honor Favorite Teachers
Senior football players each recognized a teacher that has made a significant difference in their lives. They visited the teacher of their choice and presented them with a 'Lopes Football t-shirt!
Luke Crisis #1 (Ms. Cavaliere HS)
Noah Goetz #2 (Mr. White HS)
Nico Neal #7(Mrs. Findon MS)
John Smallwood #8 (Mr. Dzubinski at Primary Center)
Justin Beck #12 (Mr. Cario HS)
Billy Onyshko #13 (Mr. Scott Tuffiash HS)
Sam Zahn #45 (Mr. Coffin HS)
Mason Metz #54 (Mrs. Potter MS)
Perry Velasarius #55 (Mr. Zuppe at Elem School)
Nick Engelmore #68 (Mr. Lincoln HS)
Spectator Policies
We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment at all our athletic and extracurricular events. As a reminder, the following policies will be enforced to ensure all spectators at high school football games have a safe and enjoyable experience.
We appreciate your cooperation and support in making this season enjoyable for our Avonworth fans, visiting fans, football players, band members, and cheerleading squads.
Go Lopes!
Looking Toward Playoffs
The Avonworth Football team has a 7-2 record and in undefeated in section play. They have guaranteed a share of the conference title! The only 2 losses came early in the season against quality 4A opponents.
The Lopes are excited for the playoffs and hope to make another deep run this season. They will get started this Friday evening with a 7PM matchup against Greensburg Salem at Lenzner Field. Come out and cheer on our Lopes Football Team, Marching Band, and Cheerleaders!
Volleyball Wraps Up Season
The girls' volleyball team concluded their season at the end of October following a challenging match against a section opponent. This loss occurred one round prior to state qualification, marking the first time in four years that the team will not participate in the state tournament. This year's roster was one of the largest I have had the privilege to coach during my tenure at Avonworth.
The team faced one of the most competitive sections, with the two teams ahead of us being the top contenders in the WPIAL, and our other section playoff qualifier pushing a top-three team to five sets. The Lopes finished the season with an overall record of 11-10; notably, only two of those losses came against unranked opponents, one of which was a 4A school.
This year's team navigated one of the most demanding schedules to date, achieving an impressive fifth-place finish at the Virginia Beach Tournament and securing first place in our own tournament.
We had seven All-Section nominees: Mackenzie Dawson, Clementine Dutot-Lucs, Julia Cernich, Cassidy Johncour, Sydney Shields, Jada Taylor, and Megan Monti. Additionally, Sydney Shields set a new all-time record for aces. The squad delivered numerous memorable plays and matches throughout the season.
The junior varsity team also excelled, finishing with a commendable overall record of 12-6 and an impressive 12-2 record in the section.
Young Golf Team Finishes Strong
The Avonworth Golf team tied for the section championship this fall.
We had a young team with little to no experience. Our lone senior did a great job of leading the team and the young players did a great job of following his lead.
The players did a great job of staying in the moment of each match, never getting too high or too low. The team lost the 1st match of the season and won every match the rest of the season. Their future is bright if they continue the path and work ethic.
Soccer Heads into Semifinals
The Avonworth boys soccer team finished the regular season with a 14-2-2 overall record with a section record of 14-1-1 to win the section. The team was led by all-section players Abdul Basit, Abdul Wahab, Rowan Carmichael, Carter Berad and Noah Quinn. Goalkeeper Alex Rowe was named honorable mention all-section and recorded 8 shutouts.
The team received the #2 seed in the 2A playoffs and has surpassed their semifinal finish from last year by reaching the WPIAL Championship game which will take place at Highmark Stadium on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 1:15 PM where they will take on defending champion South Park. Come out to cheer on your Lopes!
Capping Off A Successful Season
The Avonworth Cross Country team capped off another successful season competing against tough AA competition across Western Pennsylvania.
The Boys Team finished 5-9 overall (3-7 in the Section 4). The Boys team was led by Senior Captain Henry Amick and promising underclassmen Luke Langford (10th), Henry Heinnickel (10th) and Ryder Evans (9th). The varsity boys team also included 4-year letterman Conor Bryan and Travis Lampo who ran some of their fastest times this season.
The Avonworth Girls Cross Country team finished the season with a winning overall record of 7-6 (6-4 in the Section). The Girls Team was led by Senior Captain Emma Noss, who ran her fastest times this season as well. Seven out of the eight women's varsity runners will return next season so the future looks bright for our girls: Norah Anderson (9th), Kaitlyn Klaum (9th), Poppy Wagers (10th), Elena Van Mater (10th), Abby Yeh (10th), Madison Nicholas (10th), and Natalie Frank (11th).
Cross Country Has Great Showing at WPIAL Championship
Congratulations to the Avonworth HS Cross Country Team on a great performance at the WPIAL Championship at White Oak Park.
The Boys Team finished in the top 25 and were led by Senior Captain Henry Amick who finished in the top 60 out of 215 runners.
The Girls finished in 14th place out of 23 teams and were led by Freshman Norah Anderson who finished 59th out of 184 runners.
Girls Soccer Heads into WPIALs
Girls soccer is heading into the WPIAL playoffs with an overall record of 7-10-1.
With a tough section and likely one of the toughest non-section schedules around, the girls have been great; working to improve as soccer players, teammates and competitors throughout the season.
Congratulations to Alessia Padalino, Katie Petrina, Greta O’Brien and Elena Zimmerman who were selected as All-Section representatives.
Order Your Yearbook Now!
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.
Attention Seniors!
As a senior (or the parent/guardian of a senior), you are responsible for booking a photographer that will have your photos ready by December 1, 2024. No photos will be accepted after this date and you will be given a placeholder image in lieu of a photograph. If you would like to have a traditional head-shot taken by our school photographer, you can do that on one of our school picture days.
Senior photos, quotes, and throwback pictures will be submitted on this google form.
Substitute Cafeteria Staff Needed
Looking for fast-paced and fulfilling work? Need a job that allows you to be at home with your school-aged children or grandchildren?
We have the perfect position for you!
Join our staff for a chance to earn money while your children are at school. Great hours -- shifts are between the hours of 9 am and 2 pm Monday-Friday with no evenings, weekends or holidays!
See the excitement in the students’ faces as you serve them their favorite meal!
Compensation: $10.25 / hour
Employment Type: Part-time/on-call
Contact Melissa Schad for additional info
Crossing Guards Needed
Ben Avon Heights Borough is in need of crossing guards. To apply please contact Jessica DiNuzzo at Ben Avon Heights Borough at bahb.secretary@gmail.com.
