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Avonworth School District News
November 2023
Honoring Our Veterans
8th Grade Civics students spent a day in November honoring our nation's veterans by attending the annual Veterans Day Experience Workshop at the Heinz History Center. Twenty-eight students developed questions to ask veterans prior to their field trip to gain eligibility for this unique experience.
At the History Center, veterans from Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, and World War II answered students' questions, shared personal stories, and brought artifacts from their time in the military. Students met in small groups to have more personal interactions with each veteran and learned about their remarkable stories. The heroic actions of these individuals were an inspiration to both students and teachers.
Veterans in attendance included: Lee Wagner (Iraq), Dave Borland (Korea), Larry Woods (Vietnam), Warren Goss (World War II), and former Avonworth teacher, Bob Taylor (World War II - Homefront).
A Warm Welcome
Fifth grade celebrated veterans by inviting family and friends who are veterans to speak to classes. Students developed an appreciation for the extraordinary work performed by our service men and women. A special thank you to Mrs. Winkworth’s class for providing our guests with a warm welcome and wonderful refreshments.
Lopes Band Travels to Our Nation's Capitol
The Avonworth Marching Band was in featured in the Washington, DC nightly news. The band was in DC to march in the Veterans Day Parade.
A Growing Initiative
Avonworth Primary Center was recently featured in Trib Total Media! What began as the #BeTheKindKid movement at APC is growing into a new initiative called Kindness in Action.
Showing Support
On Sunday morning, November 5, nearly 4000 runners participated in the annual EQT Pittsburgh Ten-Miler and 10K Race.
As those runners approached the Strip District, they were met by one very excited Antelope and several members of the Avonworth Cross Country Team who volunteered at a cheer station on the running route.
The Cross Country Team made signs, cheered for every person that came through from the first runner to the very last walker, and rang cowbells and gave high fives until their hands were sore.
One of the team members even donned the Avonworth Antelope Mascot Costume and encouraged runners who raced through the Strip District. Many runners even stopped by mid-race to get a selfie with the Antelope they couldn't believe that they saw in the Strip District!
The team were excellent Avonworth ambassadors!
APC Principal Attends HundrED Innovation Summit
Educators from around the world recently gathered in Finland for the HundrED Innovation Summit.
With support from the Grable Foundation, Dr. Scott Miller, Primary Center Principal, was able to be a part of the summit to share APC's involvement in the Parents as Allies Pittsburgh Project. Dr. Miller had the opportunity to visit several Finnish schools and learn about how they are focusing on the well-being of students.
In addition, Avonworth School Board President, Yu-Ling Cheng, attended the conference through her work as the Parents as Allies project lead.
Coloring for a Cause
Two APC coloring contests raise hundreds of dollars for charity!
The APC Service Club raised $372.00 for Animal Friends through a fall pumpkin coloring contest. This years winner is Lilly E from Mrs. Johnson's 2nd Grade classroom.
Congratulations also goes out to APC student Kailey M. for winning the turkey coloring contest! The turkey coloring contest raised a total of $600 for Avonworth Communities Together.
Thank you to everyone who participated in both contests!
Lilley E.
Kailey M.
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.
Support Your Avonworth Neighbors This Holiday Season
The past few years have created challenges for many families and students. Families have struggled with financial hardships, food insecurities, and other important family issues. This year, the Avonworth School District is partnering with our local charity, Avonworth Communities Together (ACT), to help raise funds for our needy families during this holiday season thru December 15th.
Plan for Stress-Free Holiday Season
Happy December! With the holidays upon us, there are many reasons to be joyful. It's a time for sharing, laughter, giving back, and creating memories with family and friends. The holidays, however, can also be stressful. We may be making plans to visit loved ones, managing our budget for gifts, or coordinating events with our community. With an already-packed schedule, these additional tasks can add stress to our lives.
Celebrating and connecting with family is important during the holiday season, but it's also essential to care for your mental health. National Stress-Free Family Holidays Month brings awareness to the harmful effects of stress and reminds everyone to take care of themselves as they approach the holidays. Here are some helpful tips for a more stress-free holiday season:
- Make modifications to holiday traditions. Consider ways to modify traditions that may negatively impact your mental health. It can be nice to stick with holiday traditions, but your mental health should take priority.
- Don't forget the power of "no." It's okay to say no to plans if you are feeling overwhelmed.
- Plan ahead. Keeping a calendar of events can help you stay on track and prepare for events. It can be stressful to shop on the same day as an event, so keep a list of tasks to prevent the rush.
- Talk about your feelings. You might be overwhelmed or missing a loved one. Talking about your feelings with a trusted friend or family member is okay. You are not in this alone.
- Take time for self-care. It's important to take care of ourselves before caring for others. This holiday season, make time for yourself.
- Find a therapist. Acknowledge your feelings and talk to a professional when needed. If you would like help finding a mental health care provider, use Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential coordination service provided by Avonworth School District:
- 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.
We wish you a joyous and stress-free holiday season!
Making History
The Avonworth Girls’ Soccer team made history when they captured their third consecutive WPIAL Championship on Saturday, November 4th, defeating Shadyside Academy, 1-0. This win puts the 'Lopes in the company of only two other Avonworth programs to have won at least 3 WPIAL titles - Girls' Basketball (5) and Softball (3) and only the second team in school history to earn a 3-peat - Girls' Basketball - 1992, 1993, 1994.
Avonworth became the 5th ever girls' soccer program in the WPIAL to achieve a 3-peat, joining the ranks of programs like Mars, South Park, Sewickley Academy, and Mt. Lebanon.
The team went on to compete in the 2A PIAA Championship, defeating General McLane, Clearfield, and Shady Side Academy en route to the PIAA title game. The ‘Lopes ended their season as the 2A State Runner-Up, earning their second PIAA Silver in 3 years (2021 and 2023).
Congratulations on a stellar season, ‘Lopes!
Avonworth features 10 female student-athletes during NCAA's Fall Signing Day, November 8th
Avonworth High School is proud to announce that 10 student-athletes have committed and/or signed to study and compete at the next level during the 2023 NCAA Fall signing period:
Minah Syam - Morehead State University - Soccer
Emma Luther - Baldwin Wallace University - Soccer
Allie Nau - Penn State- Behrend - Soccer
Gianna Babusci - Rollins College - Soccer
Mya North - Southern Utah University - Gymnastics
Elise Nardozzi- Ohio State University - Swimming
Rylee Gray - Francis Marion University - Softball
Alivia Lantzy - UNC-Pembroke - Softball
Leah Kuban - Kenyon College - Softball
Cassie Heinauer - Denison University - Softball
Congratulations to these 10 incredible student-athletes. We are so proud of all of you and your accomplishments, and we cannot wait to see you compete at the next level!
Volleyball Sees Success
The Avonworth Volleyball team finished their season with another bid to the PIAA State Playoffs after losing to the WPIAL Champion Beaver in the WPIAL semi-finals.
This is the third year in a row the ‘Lopes have qualified for the state tournament.
The team traveled to Philipsburg-Osceola and lost to the eventual PIAA 2023 State Champion in 3 sets.
Congratulations to the girls’ team on yet another successful season!
Volleyball All Stars
Congratulations to the following athletes who were named to the WPIAL Class 2-A All Star Team:
Nora Kate Gavin
Victoria Huffmyer
Soccer All-Star
Eli Whalen represented Avonworth in the WPSCA All-Star game this past weekend at Pine Richland.
The game consisted of seniors selected from 1A and 2A classifications.
Congratulations, Eli!
Soccer Stand-outs
2023-2024 Boys’ 2A All-Section:
Carter Berard - Defender
Rowan Carmichael - Defender
Alex Rowe - Goalkeeper
Abdul Wahab - Midfielder
Eli Whalen - Midfielder/ Defender
2023-2024 Boys’ 2A ALL-WPIAL:
Eli Whalen
Rowan Carmichael
Fiona Mahan named United Soccer Coaches All-Region and All-American
Fiona Mahan was named to the United States Coaches Association’s All-Region and All-America teams as announced on November 25th.
Fiona was only one of four girls’ soccer players from the entire state named to the All-Region team and only one of three girls’ named to the All-America team.
Fiona was also an All-WPIAL and All-State honoree this year. Fiona helped lead Avonworth to our third consecutive WPIAL 2A Championship and our second State Runner Up title. She is committed to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama next year.
Coach JC Mahan earns 200th Career Win at WPIAL Championship
Head Varsity Girls' Soccer Coach JC Mahan earned his 200th career win over Shadyside Academy on Saturday in the 2A WPIAL Girls' Championship Game.
Coach Mahan began coaching the 'Lopes in 2007, helping to build the success of the program into a WPIAL top contender in 2A. In the last three seasons, Coach Mahan has won 3 WPIAL Titles (2021, 2022, and 2023) and was the PIAA Class 2A State Runner-Up in 2021.
We are so thankful for his dedication, vision, and leadership of our girls' soccer program. Congratulations, Coach!
WPIAL Championship
The Avonworth Football team advanced to the WPIAL Championship game for the second consecutive year against Belle Vernon on Friday, November 24th.
The ‘Lopes finished the season as the WPIAL 3A Runner-Ups after an otherwise perfect undefeated season. Congratulations, ‘Lopes!
Congratulations to the following football players on their All-Conference Awards! 3A Football All Conference
Andrew Kuban - Offensive Player of the Year / First Team Wide Receiver and Defensive Back
Peter Bonnett - Second Team Offensive Line
Brandon Biagiarelli - First Team Linebacker
Dimitri Velisaris - Second Team Running Back
Ben Barnes - Second Team Right End / Honorable Mention Defensive Line
Zack Dimtroff - Honorable Mention Offensive Line
Luke Hollywood - Honorable Mention Linebacker
Carson Bellinger - First Team Quarterback
Mason Metz - First Team Offensive Line / Second Team Defensive Line
Luke Garda - Second Team Defensive Back
Construction Update
Lopes Basketball Hosts Parents Night Out
Mark your calendars for Friday, December 8th from 6:00-9:00 PM when the Avonworth Boys' Basketball teams host a fun-filled evening for your K - 6th grade students. This event is to give parents a well-deserved break and let them enjoy the holiday season!
The 7th-12th grade basketball teams, along with the coaching staff, will supervise and entertain your children with basketball and other fun activities while you enjoy a great night out!
Every dollar raised will be utilized to enhance the experience of our student-athletes.
For more details and to sign up for this fun event, go to www.avonworthbasketball.com