Blue Devils Dispatch

Dear Attica Families,

As we enter the final month of the school year, there are many excited faces among our students as they look forward to the events and celebrations ahead. This is a wonderful time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments, growth, and hard work our students have demonstrated throughout the year. We are proud of their perseverance and dedication in reaching this point.

Final exams will be starting soon, and we encourage all students to put forth their best effort as they finish the year strong. The final exam schedule, along with class review dates, is provided below.

As the school year comes to a close, we have several events and celebrations planned:

• June 12 - FFA Banquet
• June 13 - Student Government Sand Volleyball Tournament
• June 16 - Senior Awards Night
• June 17 - Exceptional Athlete Awards Night
• June 18 - Prom
• June 26 - Graduation

We look forward to celebrating these special milestones with our students and their families. Best of luck to all student on their final exams, and congratulations on a successful school year!

Our Students of the Month for the month of May were:

• 9th Grade - Chance Nagel
• 10th Grade - Addison Day
• 11th Grade - Evelyn Walthew
• 12th Grade - Hayden Hood & Jamison Meeder

Warmly,

Mr. Jansma

The Middle School and High School are considering having next school year's Open House on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. This is the day that staff reports during the day and students start the following day.

• Potential Benefits

• Reduced First-Day Anxiety: Students can locate classrooms, open lockers, review schedules, and meet teachers before the first instructional day.
• Improved First-Day Efficiency: Teachers spend less class time helping students navigate schedules, lockers, and routines on the first day of school.
• Family Engagement: Parents/guardians can attend without competing against academic coursework or homework expectations.
• Technology / Logistics Support: Students can resolve schedule issues, transportation questions, locker concerns, Chromebook distribution, or password/access issues in advance.
• Supports New Students: Incoming Grade 5 and Grade 9 students especially benefit from seeing the building before the first day.

Medication Pick-Up Reminder

Any medications stored in the Nurse’s Office must be picked up by a parent/guardian before the last day of school. Medications cannot be sent home with students. Please verify a time to pick up.

Health Forms for Next School Year

Updated medical forms and provider orders will be required for the upcoming school year if your student has:

• A chronic condition (asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, etc.)

• Emergency medications (inhalers, EpiPens, etc.)

Seniors will be provided 2 copies of their immunization record at the end of the school year.

Continued reminders:

All students that will be entering 12th grade in September 2026 are required to have 2 doses of the meningitis vaccine prior to the start of the school year. Notices have been sent if your child is in need of this second dose.

ALL medications require a doctor’s order to be on file (including Tylenol/ibuprofen).

Students are not allowed to carry medication unless approved by their physician and school nurse.

Watch the mail for updated information for next school year!

Emails are checked on a very limited basis over the summer. Please be sure to have an updated physical on file prior to fall sports beginning in August.

Have a safe and healthy summer!

The Lunch Line

As we wrap up the last month of school, many students are off on various field trips and out of school activities. Students are able to pick up a bagged lunch from the cafeteria on the morning of their outing free of charge. Please note bagged lunch orders must be placed in advance, so please reach out to your child’s teacher for a lunch order form.

Student account balances will roll over to the new school year automatically. Graduating seniors with account balances will receive a refund check in the mail over the summer. “My School Bucks” will be unavailable starting June 24th as we switch over to new software for the upcoming school year.

Have a safe and healthy summer, Blue Devils!

The AP Biology class is gearing up for its annual Comparative Anatomy Dissection during the first week of June! Students will investigate a wide variety of organisms—including a worm, crayfish, squid, turtle, snake, shark, and fetal pig—to explore how anatomy and physiology have changed throughout evolution.

Before they dissect each specimen, students will research its classification and taxonomic group while identifying structures and adaptations that differ from human anatomy. Throughout the lab, students will present their discoveries to classmates, turning the classroom into an interactive learning experience filled with discussion, collaboration, and scientific investigation.

This exciting hands-on project gives students the opportunity to make meaningful connections to the biological concepts studied all year long..

Business Department

Students in Mrs. Cusmano’s Careers and Financial Management class have been learning about loans, debt, credit, and personal financial responsibility. Throughout the unit, students learned how interest works, how loan terms such as interest rates and repayment length affect the total cost of borrowing, and how fees and penalties can cause debt to increase over time. Students also explored different debt repayment strategies including consolidation, refinancing, the avalanche method, and the snowball method. In addition, students examined net worth, the difference between good debt and bad debt, and the risks of predatory lending.

The class compared the differences between credit and debit cards, evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of using credit cards, and analyzed credit card terms and conditions to better understand borrowing and responsible spending. Students also explored what makes up a credit score, how actions such as missed payments, high balances, loan defaults, and applying for too much credit can negatively impact credit, and why maintaining good credit is important. In addition, the unit covered credit reports and the three major credit bureaus that consumers can request reports from.

FACS

Today, students in Mrs. Sphar’s Foods on Your Own class had an unforgettable hands-on learning experience during a field trip to the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, part of Niagara County Community College.

Students participated in an educational cooking class led by Chef Emily Lonigan, where they learned the art of making fresh pasta completely from scratch. From mixing and preparing their own dough to rolling out pasta by hand, students experienced every step of the pasta-making process. They also created their own sauces, choosing from several different options or customizing flavors to make something uniquely their own. After cooking their homemade pasta and sauce, students enjoyed sitting down together to eat the delicious meals they created themselves.

In addition to the cooking experience, students toured the Culinary Institute and had the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible facilities and programs offered there. Known as one of the most comprehensive and well-equipped culinary arts facilities in the eastern United States, the institute provided students with an inspiring look into culinary education and career opportunities. Students were especially excited to learn that Kim Piorun, an Attica alumni, recently completed her first year at the institute and received a prestigious Gold Award Honor for her exceptional work and accomplishments there. Hearing about the success of a former Attica student made the experience even more meaningful and inspiring for the class.

The trip left students feeling accomplished, excited about learning a new life skill, and certainly full after enjoying their freshly made pasta creations! Experiences like this give students meaningful, real-world opportunities to build confidence, creativity, and independence outside of the traditional classroom setting.

A special thank you goes to our school administration for supporting opportunities like this and encouraging students to explore hands-on educational experiences beyond the classroom. Their support helps make memorable and valuable learning experiences possible for our students.

In Ms. Pierce’s algebra class, students learned how to solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula. To help them remember the formula, they learned a song to go along with it. Students who chose to perform the song in front of the class earned extra credit on their next quiz. The students below went above and beyond in demonstrating both their understanding of the quadratic formula and their enthusiasm for learning. Hudson Sphar and Caleb MacLane sang and performed the song with saxophone accompaniment and Lucy Eddy performed the song while signing it.

The students in Mrs. Stoldt's Financial Math class have focused on a Shopping Unit through hands-on activities centered on the true cost of shopping. Students have transformed abstract math concepts into practical life skills. They actively compared unit prices to find the best deals and calculated discounts while applying sales tax to everyday items. By analyzing receipts and managing a mock grocery budget, they learned to distinguish between financial "wants" and "needs." Ultimately, this interactive approach not only sharpened their mathematical fluency but also built a foundational understanding of smart consumer habits and real-world financial literacy.

Now the students are completing a final project that consists of applying financial algebra to every aspect of their daily lives. The students are transforming abstract formulas into powerful tools for personal money management. These skills will demonstrate their overall knowledge of financial algebra and the skills required throughout adulthood.

Students in ELA 12 are wrapping up their senior year over the next few weeks. From participating in community circles that encourage reflection on their high school experiences and future goals, to completing final projects with support from their teachers, students are staying busy as they prepare for graduation and the transition to life after high school.

Stay Active, Healthy, and Safe This Summer!

Summer is the perfect time for families to enjoy the outdoors, stay active, and build healthy habits together. Physical activity helps children and adults improve strength, reduce stress, and maintain overall wellness. Aim for at least 60 minutes of activity each day by choosing fun family activities such as bike riding, swimming, hiking, walking the dog, playing pickleball, or visiting a local park.

🏃‍♀️ 🚴‍♂️ 🏊‍♀️ ⚽ 🌳

Healthy eating is also important during the warmer months. Encourage children to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water before, during, and after outdoor activities. Pack healthy snacks such as fruit, yogurt, trail mix, or vegetables for trips and outdoor adventures.

🍎 💧 🥕 🍉

Summer Safety Tips

• Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every 2 hours.

• Wear helmets while biking, skating, or scootering.

• Take breaks in the shade during hot weather.

• Never leave children unattended near water.

• Wear lightweight clothing and comfortable sneakers for outdoor play.

🧴 🪖 ☀️ 🏖️ 👟

Make this summer a healthy and active one by spending time together, trying new activities, and practicing safe habits every day. Have a fun and active summer!

The study of world religions is a key component of the Global 9 curriculum. During our Islamic Empires Unit students in Global 9 learn about the 5 Pillars of Islam: recitation, prayer, charity, fast, and pilgrimage to Mecca. In order to assess student’s understanding of the 5 Pillars of Islam they were asked to create a visual representation of the essential requirements of all Muslims. The above examples display creativity and understanding of the tenets of the Islamic faith.

Sophomore News-Regents exam schedule is out. Please check with your son or daughter about what exams they need to take, and what review sessions are available. Several teachers even give bonus points for attending a review session! Breakfast and Lunch are provided during regents exams and transportation is also available for morning and afternoon runs.

Seniors-At the time of writing this, there are only 14 class days left, with even less for seniors with senior picnic and senior trip. Interim reports are available on schooltool, make sure work is still getting handed in and finish the year out strong. Colleges request final transcripts and college acceptance letters are conditional until review of the final transcript. Enjoy every last minute!!!!!

Juniors:
June 1st is the last day to apply for Promise Plus classes through Genesee Community College. Be sure to complete your application before the deadline if you are interested in participating. If any changes need to be made to the classes you are signed up for during your senior year, please see Mr. Gardner ASAP.

Summer Tip for Juniors:

One of the best ways to prepare for senior year is to start building your resume, college list, or career portfolio over the summer. Taking time now to organize achievements, volunteer work, activities, and future goals can make senior year much less stressful and help you stay ahead.

Freshmen:
If any changes need to be made to the classes you are signed up for for your sophomore year, please see Mr. Gardner ASAP.


Summer Tip for Freshmen:

Use the summer to build healthy habits that will help you succeed next year. Getting enough sleep, staying active, reading regularly, and keeping a balanced routine can help you feel more confident and prepared heading into sophomore year.

As a final unit in Studio In Art, Ms. Steves’ students are exploring an unexpected subject: cursive. While cursive is often thought of simply as handwriting practice, in the art room it becomes something much larger; it’s a study of line, movement, design, and personal expression.

So far we’ve taken a look at how we write our names and where our current understanding of cursive writing is. On Thursday, Studio classes broke up into groups to attempt a ‘signature based’ escape room developed by Ms. Steves.

First they had to decipher celebrity autographs and match them to their owners. Once they were all correct, the back of the paper sent them on a quest out into the pod for their next clue. Nestled in a mess of contour lines, a hidden message written in cursive is traced, leading them to the next clue.

Next they had to determine what signature was a forgery by using clues like: loops on certain letters, angles of the writing, and perceived pressure of the writing. A blacklight came in handy to check to see which signature had the UV paint marking the forgery. As seen in the Walt Disney example.

The final task was to work as a group to complete a large art room cursive ‘decoration’ using string attached to a marker. Watching the students use creative problem solving techniques to find the best way to use the marker to make its mark was a highlight. It was a lot tougher than it looks. And just for fun because 10th period is always up for a challenge, after they completed their marker collab, Ms. Steves had them write their names in cursive with their non-dominant hand on the large paper.

Next week we will begin working on developing our cursive handwriting skills. The goal of this unit is for students to not only learn cursive, but to also develop their own signature that encompasses the qualities of cursive and the personality of its writer.

Our members had an incredible experience representing the chapter at the New York FFA State Convention in Buffalo! Students competed against chapters from across the state, showcased their skills, and celebrated the accomplishments of FFA members from throughout New York.

Students participated in a variety of Career and Leadership Development Events, each designed to build career readiness, communication, leadership, and technical agricultural skills:

• Jr. Food Science – Students tested their knowledge of food safety, product evaluation, quality assurance, and food science principles. Our team had an outstanding performance and earned 1st Place in the State! Jacob C. placed 6th in the state, Caden M. placed 9th in the state, and Hudson S. placed 11th in the state.
• Quiz Bowl – Members competed in a fast-paced agricultural knowledge competition covering FFA, animal science, agronomy, mechanics, and more.
• Ag Sales – Students demonstrated professional sales skills through customer interactions, product presentations, and problem-solving scenarios. Our Ag Sales teams placed 10th and 15th in the state!
• Extemporaneous Speaking – Competitors prepared and delivered speeches on current agricultural topics after limited preparation time, strengthening public speaking and critical thinking skills. Congratulations to Caden for earning 3rd Place in the State!
• Creed Speaking – Members recited and explained the FFA Creed while demonstrating confidence, professionalism, and communication skills. Congratulations to Sam Z. for placing top 6 in the junior division, and Addie D. for placing in the top 6 Sr. division!
• Maple Production CDE – Students applied their knowledge of maple syrup production, identification, grading, and equipment used in the maple industry. Congratulations to Dalton for placing 14th Individual in the State!
• Agriscience Fair – Students conducted and presented scientific agricultural research projects. Congratulations to Maddie B. for presenting her research study on horse flavor preferences, demonstrating the importance of research and experimentation within the agricultural industry.

In addition to competitions, we were proud to celebrate several members receiving their Empire Degree, the highest degree that can be earned at the state level in the National FFA Organization. The Empire Degree recognizes members who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to FFA through leadership, community service, agricultural education, and the growth of their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. Congratulations to Morgan, Gavin, Dalton, and Maddie on receiving this prestigious honor!

We are incredibly proud of all of our members for their hard work, dedication, and professionalism while representing our chapter at state convention!

Book Club has completed the year with reading The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This book led us through the adventures of Avery Grambs, a teenage girl who unexpectedly inherited a billionaire's fortune. She must live in his mansion with his family while solving a puzzle to uncover why she was the chosen one to inherit the riches. This is the first book of a trilogy. The next step would be to continue the adventure by reading the next book, The Hawthorne Legacy. At our final meeting, we have developed a possible fun list of summer reads. Next year starts with a discussion of the wonderful adventures we discovered through our summer reads. Happy Reading!!

Best Buddies teamed up with the Science Club and other high school STEM students to prepare activity kits for the Annual Elementary STEM Day on Wednesday, May 27th! During this exciting hands-on event, Prospect Elementary students will work alongside high school mentors to design and launch straw rockets, test and improve their designs for greater distance, measure results, calculate averages, and graph their data like real scientists and engineers.

This full-day STEM experience gives students the opportunity to collaborate, build meaningful relationships, serve as role models, and strengthen connections throughout the Attica community. We are looking forward to an “explosive” day full of creativity, teamwork, discovery, and fun!

The Attica Clay Dusters finished their last week of competition on May 21st. 14 members

of the team recently competed at the 2026 High School Trap Shoot at Mount Morris

Sportsman’s Club. Kendra Meyer placed 1st for top female shooter with a score of 91 out of

100. Kendra also shot her first 50 rounds straight and received a patch. 1st place high squad

consisted of Colin Bradford, Dalton Burnham, Eli Janis, Kendra Meyer and Blake Kauffman. 2nd

place high squad consisted of Dylan Mirrione, Logan Domes, Jacob Copeland, Gavin Carpenter

and Shawn Piorun.

The team has 14 members attending the 3rd Annual WNY High School Trap Shoot on

May 30th and 19 members attending the state tournament on June 6th in Cicero. The team will

be celebrating the end of the season at their banquet on June 4th. The team placed 8th in our

conference. For top 25 females in our conference Kendra Meyer placed 3rd, Julie Pawlak

placed 18th, Brooke Nuhn placed 19th, Ellie Meyer placed 20th and Matilda Nevinger tied for

21st place. For the top 25 males in our conference Colden Dehlinger tied for 14th place and

Gavin Carpenter tied for 23rd place. Colden Dehlinger was the top shooter on the team with an

average of 20.80, followed by Kendra Meyer with an average of 20.50 and Gavin Carpenter with

an average of 20.10.