Yesterday, Mary Keymel’s AP Biology students participated in a lab from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park centered on the California Condor, a critically endangered species of bird that came to the brink of extinction in the early 1980s.
After being introduced to the condor and learning about the role of zoos in population recovery efforts, students performed gel electrophoresis to determine the sex of a bird in the context of a managed care breeding program.
“We also touched on how the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation Science team has contributed to the recovery of the species, its current conservation status as well as some of the ongoing threats condors face in the wild,” said Keymel.
(Photos courtesy of Mary Keymel)
about 5 hours ago, Matt Leader
Calling all families, friends, alumni, students and members of the community: Our varsity cheerleaders need your support!
Join us Saturday, Nov. 2 at Gates Chili High School, 1 Spartan Way, Gates, as our cheerleaders compete in the Section V Class C1 Game Day Cheerleading Tournament!
For the first time ever, we’ll be competing in Game Day Style, where the energy from the audience plays a big role in the experience, so we’re hoping to see a large, loud and proud crowd to cheer us on.
We would love for you to be part of this exciting event and show your Avon pride!
Tickets are $7.30 and can be purchased online through GoFan at the link below or by scanning the QR code in the accompanying image.
The Hawks are scheduled to compete at 3:18 p.m.
Thank you in advance for your support – we can’t wait to see you there!
Link: https://gofan.co/event/1569410?schoolId=NYSPHSAAV&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=rst&referrer_name=activity_scheduler&utm_campaign=rst_schedule_page
1 day ago, Matt Leader
Today was Teacher Appreciation Day today for our varsity football players.
Players selected a teacher to wear their jersey for the day as a way of showing appreciation for their support throughout the season.
Thank you, teachers, for all you do!
4 days ago, Matt Leader
We stopped by last night’s dress rehearsal for the Avon Middle School Drama Club’s production of “Descendants: The Musical” and take it from us - you’re not going to want to miss this show!
Two performances are scheduled in our District Auditorium, 191 Clinton St. The first is Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
Pre-sale tickets are still available online for $10 plus fees at the link below.
Tickets at the door are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
Oh, and you can check our full photo album from last night's rehearsal over on our Facebook page at the link below.
We hope to see you this weekend!
Tickets link: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/avon-mshs-theatre/66f785da35a4d41d4207f1ae/tickets#/productions-view
Photo album link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100064703294390&set=a.957537883079646
4 days ago, Matt Leader
Over the past few weeks, Leigh Major's sociology students have been researching various cultures from around the world.
After studying societal norms, traditions, foods, rituals and behaviors, students were given ClassVR virtual reality headsets and access to a playlist of more than 20 locations.
Using the headsets, students visited the Berlin Wall Memorial, rode in a hot air balloon over Bavaria, toured the salt mines of Romania, viewed the setting of a Serbian Orthodox Wedding and took a guided tour of Salvador, Brazil, among many other locales.
“The students really enjoyed virtually going to the culture that they studied,” said Major. “I think the headsets were very impactful as they allowed students to really immerse themselves in and absorb more of the physical environments and material elements of the cultures we’d studied in class.”
We acquired the headsets earlier this year with the intent of bolstering our district’s immersive learning platforms and helping bring real-life experiences into the classroom.
(Photos courtesy of Amanda Schroeder)
6 days ago, Matt Leader
Great opportunity for our sixth graders yesterday as they were able to tour our new administrative offices currently under renovation in our middle school.
Mike Loveland, field manager with Campus Construction Management Group, led the tour with the help of Matt McFarland, project engineer, and Alicia Chapman, an administrative assistant with Campus.
“They started the drywall earlier this week so students got to see the progress on that as well as some of the electrical wiring and HVAC systems that’ve been run in the ceiling,” said sixth grade teacher Tim Baumer. “The kids really enjoyed it and had some great questions.”
Thank you to Campus CMG for taking the time to speak with our students!
(Photos courtesy of Tim Baumer)
6 days ago, Matt Leader
Our varsity cheerleaders will head to Haverling High School, 25 Ellas Ave., Bath, tomorrow - Thursday, Oct. 24 - to compete in the Livingston County Athletic Association League Championships!
Your Hawks are set to perform at 6:40 p.m. Admission is $5 and is cash only.
Come out and support our girls!
6 days ago, Matt Leader
The Avon Middle School Drama Club’s production of “Descendants: The Musical” debuts in just FOUR DAYS!
“Descendants: The Musical” follows Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos, the teenaged children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar and Cruella De Vil.
Imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost – home of the most infamous villains who ever lived – these four troublemakers have never ventured off the island… until now. When they’re sent to attend prep school alongside the children of beloved Disney heroes, the foursome will have a difficult choice to make: should they follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps or learn to be good?
Two performances are scheduled in our District Auditorium, 191 Clinton St. The first is Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
Presale tickets are $10 plus fees and can be purchased online at the link below.
Tickets at the door are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
Link: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/avon-mshs-theatre/66f785da35a4d41d4207f1ae/tickets#/productions-view
7 days ago, Matt Leader
Our third annual Veterans Day 5K and Fun Run is fast approaching!
This year’s race is set for Saturday, Nov. 9, with all proceeds once again going to benefit Livingston County veterans.
Registration for the 800-meter kids Fun Run is free with a food donation. The race starts on the high school track at 9:30 a.m.
The 5K starts at 10 a.m. Race registration costs $10 for those under 18, $25 for adults and $50 per family. Veterans run for free. Runners and spectators are asked to park solely at Avon Middle School, 191 Clinton St.
“We’ve raised more than $1,000 and had 146 total participants last year,” said High School Principal Ryan Wagner, a race organizer. “We’re looking to surpass both those numbers this year, so I hope people choose to come out and support this cause.”
The 5K race course is shown in the accompanying image. To learn more and pre-register, click on the link below.
Link: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Avon/AvonCSDVeteransDay5k
7 days ago, Matt Leader
We tagged along Friday as students in Leigh Major’s marketing class and Mary Keymel’s new exploration of agriculture course stretched their legs for a bit of outside-the-classroom learning.
First, students headed to the High School Library where they met virtually with conservationists at the Kariega Foundation, a non-profit trust that runs a game reserve for rhinos, elephants and other animals in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa.
Students learned about the reserve’s conservation efforts, some of the techniques it uses to manage animal populations and economics of administering a nearly 30,000-acre game reserve.
Then, students hopped on a bus and headed to Geneseo Wegmans, where Mark Bowker, research and development lead at Wegmans’ Organic Farm and Orchard on Canandaigua Lake, spoke about the farm’s history, some of the niche crops they test and grow and how those crops make their way to Wegmans stores.
After taste testing some of the farm’s fresh produce, students hopped back on the bus and made a quick drive over to Bonna Terra Farms, a 5,000-acre dairy operation in West Bloomfield.
Farm Manager John Mueller spoke with students about the farm’s history and how he and his staff care for the farm’s dairy herd, then went through some of the products Bonna Terra milk is used for.
To wrap up, students toured Bonna Terra’s rotary milking parlor and met some of nearly 3,000 cows that call the farm home.
Many thanks to the Kariega Foundation, Wegmans and Bonna Terra Farms for taking the time to speak with our students - it was a fun (and informative) day, all around!
8 days ago, Matt Leader
Today, during School Board Recognition Week, we want to take a moment to recognize and say thank you to our Board of Education members - Rodney George, James Colt, Beth Peck, Karen Vanderbilt and Dr. Stephen Comeau, Jr.
These five board members are responsible for overseeing the education of our community’s young people, a huge undertaking and one that has trickle down effects for years and decades into the future.
Their passion for ensuring our students have access to a robust, quality education is second to none and we’re lucky to have such dedicated public servants leading our district.
Thank you, Board of Education members!
11 days ago, Matt Leader
Our freshmen class had a great day of learning on Wednesday during our second Freshmen Academy session of the year.
Students rotated through different stations throughout the high school Wednesday morning centered on the theme of “unity.”
They played games, created kindness rocks, learned about different career pathways open to them during and after high school, explored how to contribute to a positive school culture and dug into what qualities they value - both individually and as a class.
11 days ago, Matt Leader
For the first time in five years, your Avon boys cross country runners are GRAA-LCAA Division I champions!
The Hawks clinched the league title last night at Dansville’s Brae Burn Golf Course where they went 4-0, sweeping Bath, Dansville, Wayland-Cohocton and second place division finisher Livonia, who they were tied with going into the meet.
"Gutsy effort by our athletes yesterday," said Head Coach Josh Williams. "They put the work in and delivered the results needed for the win. A lot of credit goes to the Livonia runners and coaches for putting up an incredible team year after year. They brought out the absolute best in us and we know we have our hands full in sectionals when we face them again."
The boys were led by freshman breakout Luigi M., who was second overall with a time of 17:09.
The turning point of the meet was an incredible kick from senior Jordan M., who turned on the jets at the tail end of the race to nip Livonia’s Aiden Brown by 2 seconds at the finish line to take third place.
"Before the race, Coach Williams was telling us to race for one another and stick to the game plan," said Jordan, a dual sport athlete who also plays football. "Coming down the final stretch, I knew the position I was in and that I had to catch Livonia's second runner. I started my kick and did what I needed to get the win."
Jordan set his league personal best with a time of 17:25, dropping a minute from last week’s race.
Sophomore Wyatt K. (17:38), Hunter R. (17:45) and Sage P. (19:12) also had big races for the Hawks.
The Hawks finish their regular season with a record of 20-1 and 6-0 against divisional opponents. They’re next in action Saturday, Oct. 26 at the GRAA-LCAA Championships at Wayland-Cohocton High School.
(Photo/footage courtesy of Josh Williams)
13 days ago, Matt Leader
Tonight’s varsity girls soccer game against Letchworth is also Senior Night!
We have 6 seniors this year - Leann M., Lauren M., Caroline H., Addison U., Bronwyn C., Nora H. and Erin K.
A recognition ceremony will precede the game at 6:15 p.m. on the turf. Game time is 7 p.m.
We hope you’ll stop by and help celebrate our seniors!
19 days ago, Matt Leader
Congratulations to our Board of Education Art & Music Award winner, sixth grader Caitlyn L.!
Caitlyn was nominated by her middle school music teacher, Meaghan Stambaugh, who described her student as an “exceptional trombonist.”
As a 5th grader, Caitlyn was selected to represent Avon in the Genesee Valley School Music Association All-County Band Festival held at Keshequa. She also participated in the New York State School Music Association Spring Solo Festival at Victor Jr./Sr. High School, where she received a “superior” rating. Caitlyn was also selected to participate in the Hochstein School of Music Summer Band Camp this past year.
“Caitlyn is a true leader and model in our band program,” said Stambaugh. “She encourages others to do their best work and comes fully prepared and ready to learn. She has a great sense of humor, is very dedicated to our band program and is eager to help her teachers and classmates.”
(Photos courtesy of Jennifer VanRy)
19 days ago, Matt Leader
Our boys and girls varsity cross country teams both completed sweep over Batavia Notre Dame, Pavilion-York and Perry Tuesday afternoon at home.
The boys were led by freshman Luigi M., who notched his first overall victory with a time of 17:07. Luigi is a dual sport soccer athlete in his first year of cross country.
"I could feel the energy of our team as it was an amazing race with everyone putting in an incredible effort," said Luigi, who dropped 24 seconds off his time on the same course just one week prior. "Once I'm able to get past the soreness of playing two sports I just get the mindset to try to win."
Luigi isn't the only Hawk that is a dual sport athlete on the team - senior Jordan M. also is a varsity football player.
"Jordan is an incredible athlete and a great teammate," said Head Coach Josh Williams. "He brings ferocious energy to the team and has an incredible will to succeed. "
Next week for the boys is a big showdown against Livonia for the league title.
On the girls side it was a big day for Sarah W., an eighth grader who earned her first league win with a time of 24:26, her fastest of the season.
Also for the girls Lev S. made huge strides as of late, dropping 2 minutes over the past two weeks to run a personal best time of 28:11 Tuesday at home.
Our runners are next in action Tuesday, Oct. 15 in Dansville where our boys will duke it out with Livonia for the LCAA Division I title.
(Photos courtesy of Jess Soucy)
From Sept. 30 to Oct 4., our elementary school students participated in the Integrity Week Challenge! Students in each class looked to earn points throughout the week by engaging in behavior and making decisions that showed integrity. At the end of the week the class with the most points was awarded the Spirit Stick!
A huge congratulations to Mrs. Mackenzie Stickel’s second grade class on showing integrity and winning the Spirit Stick - you all earned it!
As a special bonus, if our school as a whole earned enough points, our teachers and staff pledged to reward students with a special prize.
Well, our students held up their end of the bargain by earning enough integrity points and our staff held up theirs by… taking a pie in the face, courtesy of their own students!
With the pieing (and a special surprise visit from some of our high school athletes) Friday’s assembly was a rip-roarin’ good time. We swear - it seems like it’s downright IMPOSSIBLE to walk out of one of our elementary school assemblies WITHOUT a smile on your face.
Many thanks to our school counselor, Lexi McTarnaghan, for spearheading the Integrity Week Challenge and to all our teachers and staff who volunteered to take a pie in the face!
And if the photographs above just aren’t doing it for you, head on over to our YouTube channel at the link below for a bit of pieing footage for your viewing pleasure!
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@avoncentralschooldistrict4645
Our first ever Avon Elementary School SOAR Week was a huge success!
Our goals for SOAR Week were twofold. First, we wanted to provide some special activities and lessons for our younger students centered on STEAM and social-emotional learning, among other topics.
Ian Smith, an innovative program specialist who runs our Elementary School Library and STEAM program, led different STEAM lessons for different grade levels centered on the basic concepts of programming, trial and error and iterative design.
School Psychologist Katherine Wonderly led the SEL lessons, which she dubbed the “Coping Skills Cafe.”
“We had a ‘menu’ of strategies for students to sample that they could use when they might need to calm down their big or uncomfortable feelings,” Wonderly explained. “The strategies we focused on were taking deep breaths, journaling, coloring/drawing, and using play dough for sculpting. We also, time permitting, had students take a survey to self-assess what strategies they liked best and thought they would use the most.
Second, these special STEAM and SEL lessons gave our teachers a chance to come together and go over results from the benchmark assessments our students completed last year.
This data allowed our teachers to see where students are excelling and struggling so they can refine instructional plans and improve student learning outcomes for the coming school year - it was a win-win!
(Photos courtesy of Amanda Schroeder and Christie DeWald)