MID-WINTER NEWSLETTER

At Attica High School, student safety and security remain our top priorities. Beginning in March 2025, the school will be implementing a Hallway Monitoring System to ensure a safe, orderly, and respectful environment during passing periods and class times. This system is designed to provide increased supervision and reinforce school expectations, while fostering positive interactions between staff and students. Our dedicated faculty and staff will be actively present in hallways, monitoring student movement, assisting those in need, and addressing any concerns that arise.

Staff members will be stationed strategically throughout the hallways during transition times as well. Students will be required to carry passes when outside the classroom. Those without passes will be redirected back to class. Staff will greet and engage with students to create a welcoming and secure atmosphere. Monitors will be equipped with walkie-talkies to quickly report any concerns to the school administration. Staff will intervene in minor disruptions and report significant issues such as students in unauthorized areas, vandalism, or altercations among students to the administration.

By implementing this system, the District will enhance student safety, reduce hallway disruptions, and promote and support a positive school climate where all students feel safe and respected. We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations with your child. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this initiative, please feel free to contact Mr. Thomas Kopp or the high school's main office. Thank you for your partnership in making Attica a safe and supportive environment for all students!

Salutations,

I would like to share that the high school faculty has recently established an Instructional Support Team (IST) to address the inception of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for students.

A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework that helps schools identify and address student needs. It's a proactive, comprehensive approach that uses data and instruction to support students' academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. (Understood.org) The four major components of the MTSS are:

• Screening: Identifying students who may need additional support

• Progress monitoring: Assessing student performance and their response to instruction

• Multi-level prevention system: Providing intervention plans based on student needs

• Data-based decision-making: Analyzing data to make decisions and solve problems

• 
  

In essence, the MTSS is a framework that uses evidence-based practices to ensure that students receive the support they need. There are typically three tiers of support in an MTSS model. Tier 1 includes high quality classroom-wide instruction and support for all students. Tier 2 provides targeted support to address a student's gaps in skills. Tier 3 involves intensive support usually provided more frequently and in small groups or individualized.

Research has shown that the MTSS Framework is a method for improving student academic performance, behavior, and absenteeism rates. It also reduces rates of suspensions, and referrals. It provides for personal support plans that are based on a student’s needs. In addition it improves student problem solving skills. The IST uses regular screenings to identify students who need additional help. Once those students have been identified and the interventions are applied, IST monitors progress to ensure that ongoing support is accurately targeted to students at their respective levels of need. (Texas Education Agency)

Over the course of the next several months the faculty will engage in identifying those students who are in need of additional support whether it be academic, social emotional, behavioral or a combination thereof. The school will engage with parents of students who have been identified as needing extra support as it believes that only in partnering with parents will students be able to achieve their fullest potential.

Respectfully,

Thomas K. Kopp

In a creative fusion of art and engineering, Ms. Steves’ sculpture students are crafting intricate geometric sculptures using a surprising material: rolled newsprint paper. This innovative project encourages students to think outside the box, blending artistic vision with engineering concepts.

The process begins with students rolling letter-sized sheets of newsprint paper into tight tubes, which they then manipulate into various geometric shapes. From squares and triangles, to trapezoids and diamonds, the sculptures take shape as the students experiment with the material's flexibility and strength. The smooth, lightweight texture of the newsprint allows for both delicate shapes and sharp angles, making it the perfect medium for architectural-inspired designs.

But, they aren’t just haphazardly creating a design. No, they must adhere to some pretty strict criteria. Aside from the required material, and geometric design, each sculpture must be at least 2 feet tall, be structurally sound and stable, aesthetically pleasing from all angles, and crafted with care. Requirements for the project are developed with every skill level in mind, so regardless of your ‘artistic ability’ you can still complete the project with great success!

As you can see, we are nearing completion of this project, next we will spray paint them to give them some pizazz and then move on to organic sculptures.

This is a quick reminder that the High School offers many art electives such as: Crafts, Drawing and Painting 1, Drawing and Painting 2, Ceramics, Photography, Computer Art 1, Computer Art 2, Art of the Video Game, as well as Sculpture. There’s something for everyone! Counselors are beginning to discuss course options for next year, let them know what you are interested in.

Students in Mrs. Crowley’s, Mrs. Pappalardo’s, and Mr. Paddock’s Math 10 classes took their Algebra 1 Regents Exam in January. The teachers are happy to report that all students were able to pass and earn credit! This exam is a requirement for graduation. Teachers of both classes are so proud of their students for putting in the effort needed. Special shout out to Nolan Bonning for being the high scorer!

Now, on to Geometry!

The Attica High School Math Team finished their season on February 13th. The season had some ups and downs, but the team finished with the 3rd place trophy. This is a pretty young team and they worked hard all year, doing math that they won't encounter in their math classes for a couple of years. Mitchell Spink, Kara Hassenfratz, and Josh Kipfer were selected to the Monroe County Math League Meet on March 20 at Nazareth University. This is the fifth top 3 finish for Attica's A team in five years, which is a testament to the continued effort of these kids. The Attica B team did very well also, scoring in the top eight teams. We cannot wait to run it back and finish even stronger next year.

English 9 students are starting a short non-fiction unit which will then lead into writing a research paper, which will be a major project we will work on through March. Students in ACE English 12 should be registered through GCC by now and are working on Dramatic Analysis currently and will move into Prose Analysis next as we examine different facets of Writing in the Humanities.

***REMINDER: continue cold and flu prevention practices! Cover your cough and wash hands FREQUENTLY. Stay home/away from others when possible.

During February and March scoliosis screenings will be completed on 9th graders that didn’t have it completed on their physicals. Hearing and vision screenings will be completed for 11th graders.

Mrs. Winters’ concluded her Regents Biology unit on the circulatory system with an exciting and informative dissection of a deer heart, a hands-on experience that enriched the students’ understanding of the cardiovascular system. As they carefully explored the heart’s structures, students examined key features such as the two atria and two ventricles, the aorta, heart valves, and the increased thickness of the left ventricle which is for pumping blood throughout the body. The dissection complemented their classroom discussions on the pathways of circulation, circulatory disorders, bypass surgery, and stent implants. The experience highlighted the value of interactive learning in understanding important biological systems.

Mrs. Young and Mr. Cusmano's physical education classes participated in a rollerblading unit. Remember those days when you would get your friends together and meet up at Skate 98? Well, they brought Skate 98 to their students in the month of January. PE students of the month for December were Bailey Mills and Colton Spink.

Austin Moroz was the winner of The Stock Market Game in Mr. Dickhut's Financial Math class. Each member of the class was given $10,000 to invest in the stock market starting back in September. Their investments match the DOW Jones in real-time. Austin turned his $10,000 into $13,972 in less than 20 weeks for an astonishing 37.9% increase!!!! He finished with over a $1,400 advantage over the second place finisher. Austin invested in several companies, but his most successful investment was in United Airlines which increased 98% from the time that he bought into the company. Lucas Burry finished in second place, and Noah Attebery came in third. The students had a very successful competition with 16 out of the 18 participants showing a profit at the end of the game.

Seniors: Students continuing their education after graduation must complete FAFSA and TAP applications to receive an award. Check out this link for the latest issue of the Senior Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/zd9yu

Scholarship opportunities are slowly rolling in! Follow this link to stay up to date on different scholarships: https://www.atticacsd.org/o/ahs/page/scholarships Scholarships = Free $$

Juniors: I will be meeting with juniors individually to review credits, diploma status, and plan for next year with course selections that best fit their future plans. Please reach out and let me know if you would like to be a part of this conversation. Here is a copy of the Curriculum Handbook, you can also access it on the School Website under Highschool-Departments-School Counseling

ASVAB review was on Thursday, February 13, make sure to ask your student what they learned about their ASVAB scores and how it applied to potential career paths. We will be taking interested Juniors to the National College Fair in Buffalo on March 19.

Sophomores: Sophomore students were able to shadow current BOCES students at the BOCES Shadow Days. Sophomores are currently meeting with Mr. Gardner to create their schedules for their Junior year, along with reviewing their credits. There are a few field trip opportunities coming up for students to learn more about the health field, along with learning about college options.

Freshmen: I will be meeting with all freshmen to select courses for next year. A typical sophomore schedule includes English, Global 10, Biology w/ lab, Math, PE, Health/CFM, Spanish/Art/Music All sophomores need to take Health and Career and Financial Management as part of their graduation requirements. You can also refer to the Curriculum Handbook if you would like more information on courses available at Attica High School. Several new electives are awaiting board approval, we will share that list when it becomes available.

There will be a Job/Experience Fair on Tuesday, March 18th for any students looking for employment, especially over the summer!