Principals' Newsletter
From Christie DeWald, Jenn Miller, and Ryan Wagner
April 16, 2024
ACS Strategic Planning Goals
The district will exemplify a culture of innovative thinking.
All students will have personalized learning pathways that foster independence and career exploration.
All students will demonstrate social emotional skills and cultural awareness.
UPK-12 Information and Updates
Important Dates:
April 19th: Late Arrival for UPK-12th Grade Students (Partial Professional Learning Day for Staff)
Arrival at 9:50 AM for Grades 5-12
Arrival at 10:50 AM for Grades Pre K-4
May 2nd: Spring Instrumental Band Concert (Grades 7-12) at 7:00 pm in the District Auditorium
May 4th: Special Olympics at the Avon Athletic Stadium 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
May 7th: Spring Instrumental Band Concert (Grades 5 and 6) at 7:00 pm in the District Auditorium
May 10th: Late Arrival for UPK-12th Grade Students (Partial Professional Learning Day for Staff)
Arrival at 9:50 AM for Grades 5-12
Arrival at 10:50 AM for Grades Pre K-4
May 29th: Spring Choral Concert (Grades 7-12) at 7:00 pm in the District Auditorium
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. Please feel free to call or email us:
Ryan Wagner (9-12) rwagner@avoncsd.org (585) 226-2455 extension 1719
Jennifer Miller (5-8) jmiller@avoncsd.org (585) 226-2455 extension 1430
Christie DeWald (UPK-4) cdewald@avoncsd.org (585) 226-2455 extension 1108
UPK-4 Information
School-Wide Book: The elementary school just completed our school-wide book - Finding Your Spot In the World by Dian Alber. A story about diversity aligns with our district's strategic focus on Social Emotional Learning and Cultural Awareness. Thank you to our library staff, Ian Smith and Christine Bird for taking students on a journey to put a “spot” light on how we are different and how important those differences are to the world. There are millions of people in the world, we all look different, act different, and like different things. Our differences make us unique and we can all find our spot in the world. Students read the book and created personal designs that decorated our hallways. My favorite is the heart, which comprises all 332 students' fingerprints!
Kid’s Heart Challenge: Thank you to all our students, staff, and families for participating in the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge. Through your collective efforts, we exceed our goal! Take a look at our other school Achievements:
NYS Grades 3-4 Math Test Administration (April 2024): On Monday, April 29th (Session 1) and Tuesday, April 30th (Session 2), The New York State Grades 3-4 Mathematics Tests will be administered to third and fourth-grade students. These state tests will be administered utilizing classroom Chromebooks. The state refers to this as Computer Based Testing (CBT). When the student results are shared with the district, the elementary school staff will use this assessment data to identify areas of strength and areas that need more attention or targeted instruction.
UPK Information Night: We are excited to welcome the parents/guardians of our incoming UPK students to an information night on Monday, May 20th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the elementary school. This information night is for parents and guardians only. Our UPK staff will be there to introduce themselves and discuss your child’s first year at Avon.
Kindergarten Information Night: We are excited to welcome the parents/guardians of our incoming kindergarten students to an information night on Monday, May 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the elementary school. This information night is for parents and guardians only. Our kindergarten teachers will be there to introduce themselves and discuss your child’s first year at Avon.
Grades 5-8 Information
Artist of the Month (March 2024): The Artist of the Month is an award that is earned by showing good character throughout the school year. It is also earned by showing great effort and skill. One student from each art class is chosen each month based on the month’s character traits. The character trait for the month of March was respect. The following students were recognized by Mrs. Danielle Howard (Art Teacher):
- Grade 5: Emma McLaughlin and Dylan Jimenez-Rodriguez
- Grade 6: Leona Moran and Abby Hill
- Grade 7: Logan Cosimano, Delaney Hatch, Michael Saez-Rodriguez, and Raeleigh Swafford
Please Note: In the June Newsletter, there will be a recap of recipients recognized this school year for the Artist of the Month Award. Thank you.
Genesee Valley Peace Poetry Contest Winners: This year’s Genesee Peace Poetry Contest received over 200 student entries from students throughout the Genesee Valley region. From that group of students, they selected 53 winners whose poems will be printed in a free chapbook published by the English Department at SUNY Geneseo. The following fifth grade students were selected as winners: Donovan DeCarlo for his poem, Ocean, Keegan Greenway for her poem, Peace, Finley Hatch for her poem, The Peace in Life, Caitlyn Lipome for her poem, Wyatt Swafford for his poem, Tennessee, Hayden Taft for his poem, Spring, and Cheyenne Clause for her poem, Nature. These students will be recognized on Saturday, April 20th, at 3:00 pm in the Wadsworth Auditorium located on the SUNY Geneseo campus. Congratulations to all of the students who are being honored this year.
NYS Grades 5-8 Math Test Administration (May 2024): The New York State Grades 5-8 Mathematics Tests will be administered to students. On Wednesday, May 1st (Session1) and Thursday, May 2nd (Session 2), the assessment will be administered to fifth and sixth grade students. On Tuesday, May 7th (Session 1) and Wednesday, May 8th (Session 2), the assessment will be administered to seventh and eighth grade students. These state tests will be administered utilizing student Chromebooks. The state refers to this as Computer Based Testing (CBT). The day before each session of the mathematics assessment, students will be reminded to have a fully charged chromebook before they come to school. Chargers will be available at each testing site as well. Students should bring their Chromebook charger with them to school just in case it is needed throughout the school day. When the student results are shared with the district, the middle school staff will use this assessment data to identify areas of strength and areas that need more attention or targeted instruction.
Administration of the NYS Grades 5 and 8 Science Tests (May 2024): The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) requires that states test students at least three times in science: once in grades 3 through 5, once in grades 6 through 9, and once in grades 10 through 12. The NYS Elementary-level and Intermediate-level Science Testing Program has been designed to measure science knowledge and skills as defined by the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards. The Elementary-level Science Test assesses science standards for grades 3-5 (with a foundation of preK-2), and the Intermediate-level Science Test assesses science standards for grades 6-8. Approximately 60 percent of each test will consist of multiple-choice questions, while approximately 40 percent will be constructed-response questions. The 2024 Elementary-level and Intermediate-level Science Tests each consist of a single session that is administered in one day (Thursday, May 9th, 2024). Please Note: Students enrolled in the Regents Living Environment Class will take the Regents Exam in June and they will not have to take the NYS Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test. On the day of the NYS Intermediate Level Science Test these students will have a study hall. They will also be permitted to attend a Regents level math or science class if they have a class during the time the state assessment is being administered to students.
Early College High School Grant: On April 22nd at 5:-00 pm in the District Auditorium, parents of eighth grade students are invited to attend an informational session about the Early College High School Grant that the school was just awarded. This is an exciting opportunity for your child. Please come to learn more about the courses that your child will be eligible to enroll in free of charge for college credit.
After School Help: Classroom teachers are available (most days) to work with students in their classrooms from 2:30 pm until 3:00 pm. This is an opportunity for students to retake an assessment, have a skill or piece of content retaught, and/or work on course work with guided support. A bus pass will be given to students by the teacher at the end of the session if a student requires district transportation home from school. Buses will leave the high school transportation loop on/around 3:20 pm.
Grades 9-12 Information
April 19th: Marking Period 3 Ends
April 22nd: Parents of 8th grade students are invited to a meeting at 5:00 pm in the auditorium to learn about the Early College High School grant. Come and learn how to enroll your child to earn free college credits.
May 5th - May 16th: AP Examinations
May 18th: Junior/Senior Prom
End of the Year: Please see our end of the year examination dates. Specific exam schedules will be shared at a later time.
- June 11th: Last day of regular classes
- June 12th-13th: Local final examinations
- June 14th-June 25th: Regents examinations
Higher Education Services Corporation: High school students and their parents can sign up to receive text messages from the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation to get connected to the resources they need to prepare for college and apply for financial aid.
Student Celebrations and Events
Eclipse day was a success! Thank you to all who came to the event!
Tech Wars Competition
Student Resources
Avon Middle and High School Tutoring
Avon is still offering after school tutoring. Please see the information below...
Tutors: Avon Middle and High School Teachers
Location: Avon HS Library
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Days of the Week: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Transportation: Parent pick up at the High School Main Entrance
Note: Students must sign in and out with Mrs. Newton daily
Thank you for your interest in supporting your child's learning. If you have further questions please contact me at 226-2455 ext. 1701 or lnewton@avoncsd.org.
Parent Resources
The 2024 Grades 3-8 New York State Assessments: What Parents Need to Know
SchoolTool Parent Portal
Avon Central Schools
DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT
Develop life long learners and responsible citizens equipped to prosper in the global society.
VISION STATEMENT
Avon Central School District will foster an environment where all students will compete globally through the collaborative efforts of the Board of Education, school personnel, parents, community members and students.
Website: https://www.avoncsd.org/
Location: 245 Clinton Street, Avon, NY 14414, USA
Phone: 585-226-2455
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avonnycsd#