March
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Attica Middle School Families,
March is here, and while many people hear “March Madness” and immediately think of basketball, here at Attica Middle School it represents something much bigger. This is one of the busiest and most important stretches of our school year. The energy in the building is high, routines are strong, and our students are working hard as we head toward the spring months.
Of course, the excitement of the college basketball tournament is fun to follow, but our version of March Madness is all about focus, preparation, and perseverance. With New York State assessments approaching in April and May, our teachers are intentionally reviewing key standards, reinforcing essential skills, and helping students build the confidence they need to demonstrate their learning.
The NYS Grades 3–8 assessments in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are designed to measure student progress toward the New York State Learning Standards. While these tests are only one measure of student achievement, they provide valuable information about student growth and help guide our instructional planning. More importantly, they give students an opportunity to show what they know and how much they have grown throughout the year.
Families can support students during this busy time by:
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Encouraging consistent attendance and punctuality
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Helping students maintain regular homework routines
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Ensuring a good night’s sleep
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Promoting a healthy breakfast each morning
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Reinforcing a positive mindset about learning and testing
At school, we are emphasizing effort over anxiety. We want students to understand that preparation and persistence matter far more than perfection. Teachers are incorporating review activities, practice questions, and skill-building opportunities into daily instruction, all while maintaining engaging and meaningful learning experiences.
March is also filled with exciting activities beyond academics. Clubs, music performances, athletic contests, and special events continue to make our school a vibrant place for students to connect and grow. We encourage families to stay involved and attend events whenever possible. Your partnership makes a tremendous difference.
As always, thank you for your continued support of Attica Middle School. The months ahead will move quickly, but together we will ensure that our students finish the year strong. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Let’s embrace the positive energy of March and make it a successful and rewarding month for all.
Warm regards,
Paul Clark
Middle School Principal
5th Grade
Hank Ackert
6th Grade
Josie Gugliuzza
7th Grade
Mason Pilc
8th Grade
Dear Families,
As we move into March, this is an important time of year for our middle school students. The third quarter is well underway, spring testing season is approaching, and students are balancing academics, activities, and social responsibilities. This month is a great opportunity to refocus, reset goals, and strengthen positive habits.
Academic Check-In
With state assessments coming up in April and May, now is the time for students to:
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Review class notes and stay organized
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Ask questions when they need clarification
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Attend extra help sessions when available
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Break larger assignments into smaller, manageable tasks
Families can support students by encouraging consistent homework routines, limiting distractions during study time, and reinforcing effort over perfection.
Managing Stress & Building Resilience
It’s normal for students to feel some pressure this time of year. We are continuing to work with students on:
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Healthy coping strategies
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Positive self-talk
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Problem-solving skills
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Managing test anxiety
Encourage your child to get enough sleep, stay active, and talk openly about any worries they may have. Even simple strategies like deep breathing or taking short breaks during homework can make a big difference.
Social Growth
Middle school is a time of tremendous social development. We continue to focus on:
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Respectful communication
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Conflict resolution
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Digital citizenship
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Empathy and inclusion
Please remind students that their words—both in person and online—matter. If concerns arise, encourage your child to speak with a trusted adult at school.
Looking Ahead
Course planning discussions and preparation for next year will begin soon. I will be meeting with students to discuss academic goals and future opportunities. Be on the lookout for information regarding scheduling and important deadlines.
As always, my door is open. If you have concerns about your child’s academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being, please do not hesitate to reach out. Working together, we can ensure that every student feels supported and successful during this busy season.
Wishing everyone a positive and productive March!
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Warmly,
Mary Beth Hardie
March 3- Band in the Round, 7:00pm
March 6- 5/6 Fun Night, 5:00-7:00pm
March 10- Pops Concert, 7:00pm
March 13- Western Dance (grades 5-8) 6:00-8:00pm
March 19- Pageturners Competition (gr. 3-6)
March 20- 7/8 Fun Night, 5:00-7:00pm
March 21- NYS Odyssey of the Mind Competition
March 26- Family Swim Night, 3:30-5:00pm for Middle School Students Cancelled
March 26- Family Swim Night, 5:30-7:00pm for Elementary Students with Parent/Guardian Cancelled
March 27- Superintendents Day, No School for Students
March 28- Lego League Robotics Competition (rescheduled from January)
March 2- Yearbook 3:15-4:30
March 4- Yearbook 3:15-4:30
March 5- Fresh Connections 3:30-5:20
March 9- Art Club 3:15-4:30
March 9- Fresh Connections 3:30-5:20
March 16- Yearbook 3:15-4:30
March 18- Yearbook 3:15-4:30
March 19- Fresh Connections 3:30-5:20
March 24- Fresh Connections 3:30-5:20
Who knew five little letters could spark so much excitement? This year Mrs. Gouinlock and Miss Nowak are bringing Wordle-style challenges into reading intervention classes to strengthen students’ spelling, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills and students are loving it!
Wordle encourages learners to think strategically about word patterns, letter placement, and meaning. As they test their guesses, students naturally practice phonics, expand their vocabulary, and analyze feedback to refine their thinking. Its problem-solving and language development all wrapped up into one engaging activity. Wordle also builds persistence. Not every guess is correct and that encourages students to adjust, rethink, and try again. We’re building a growth mindset that will transfer to reading, writing, and beyond.
Ask your middle school reading AIS students about this latest classroom challenge! If you want to play along at home you can build your own wordle-style game at https://mywordle.strivemath.com/
Health Office Reminders
Dear Families,
March is a month that encourages us to refresh healthy habits and prepare for the busy spring season ahead. It is National Nutrition Month as well as National Sleep Month, making it the perfect time to focus on nourishing our bodies and prioritizing rest.
National Nutrition Month
National Nutrition Month®, organized by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, promotes the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating habits.
This year, I encourage families to focus on building balanced, nutrient-dense meals:
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Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables at lunch and dinner.
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Incorporate whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and whole wheat bread.
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Choose plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds more often.
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Drink more water throughout the day. Aim for three bottles (approximately 1.5–2 liters) by mid-afternoon.
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Cook at home when possible to better control ingredients, portion sizes, and sodium intake.
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As spring approaches, try lighter, seasonal meals featuring fresh produce.
Encourage your child to eat three balanced meals per day to maintain steady energy levels for learning, sports, and activities.
Boosting Activity Levels
As the weather begins to warm, March is a great time to get moving:
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Be active daily. Simple activities like walking, biking, or playing outside can make a big difference.
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Aim for at least three hours of physical activity per week outside of school.
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Limit recreational screen time and replace it with outdoor play when possible.
Regular physical activity supports heart health, strengthens muscles and bones, improves mood, and enhances focus in the classroom.
Lifestyle & Wellness Tips
Healthy living goes beyond nutrition and exercise.
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Prioritize Sleep: March is also National Sleep Month. Children and teens need consistent bedtimes and adequate rest to support growth, immune health, and academic success.
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Spring Cleaning: Decluttering and organizing living spaces can reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
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Start a Garden: Growing herbs or vegetables—even in small containers—can encourage healthy eating and teach valuable life skills.
March is the perfect time to “spring forward” with healthier habits. Small, consistent changes can lead to long-term benefits for both students and families. If you have any questions about nutrition, sleep, or healthy lifestyle habits, please feel free to contact the health office.
Wishing everyone a healthy and energized month ahead! As always, if you have any concerns regarding your child’s health for the 25-26 school year, please call Mrs. Cooley at 585-591-0400 extension 1214 or email at tcooley@atticacsd.org.
The district is requesting that all student drop off and pick up for arrival and dismissal take place in the parent loop and that families no longer park along the side of the road on route 238.
Morning Drop-Off Procedures: (7:45-8:20 am) Cars should enter the parent drop off/pick up loop (far left loop) and continue to the designated drop off area. Once you enter the designated drop off area, please let your children out on the right hand side of the car, and have them cross utilizing crosswalk 29. All students being dropped off by parents will enter the school through door 29. Please proceed to exit the loop making sure to yield to any bus traffic. No vehicle traffic will be allowed in the Bus loop. There will be staff to direct students and traffic to ensure student safety.
Afternoon Pick-Up Procedures: (3:10-3:30 pm) Cars should pull into the parent drop off/pick up loop and line up along the median. Do not double-park in the far-left lane; this will enable cars to pull away once a student is picked up in the designated pick up area. Dismissal starts at 3:10 pm and exit doors 28-30 will be open. Students are able to use crosswalks 29 and 30 to cross to the parent loop to be picked up in the designated pick up area. All traffic must yield to busses at all times. There will be staff to direct students and traffic to ensure student safety.
We are aware that not all cars will be able to fit in the parent loop during our afternoon pickup. Once the lot is full we are asking all families to use the overflow lot off of route 238 adjacent to the stadium until the parent pick-up lot is no longer full. Students will also be encouraged meet any parents in the overflow lot as a walkway is connected to our secondary campus and the overflow lot. No cars will be allowed to park on route 238 during dismissal and will be monitored by our school resource officer and our local law enforcement agencies.
We thank you again for your cooperation with these changes to our procedures and look forward to promoting a safe environment for all of our students and families.