February
From the Principal's Desk
Dear Families,
As we move into February, we find ourselves at the midpoint of the school year. This is an important time for reflection, renewed focus, and continued growth. The winter months can sometimes feel long, but they also offer a valuable opportunity for students to reset goals, strengthen routines, and build momentum for the second half of the year.
February is a busy and meaningful month in our schools. From celebrating student achievements to recognizing acts of kindness and character, we continue to emphasize not only academic success but also the importance of respect, responsibility, and perseverance. These traits help shape a positive school culture and prepare our students for success beyond the classroom.
With the midpoint of the year upon us, I encourage families to check in with your child about their progress. Reviewing grades, discussing goals, and reinforcing consistent attendance make a significant difference. Every school day matters, and being present and engaged remains one of the strongest predictors of student success.
Winter weather can sometimes disrupt routines, so please be sure to monitor communication regarding potential delays or closures. Most importantly, continue encouraging healthy habits—rest, nutrition, and balance—so our students are ready to learn each day.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. Together, we will continue to make the second half of this school year both productive and rewarding for our students.
Warm regards,
Paul Clark
Middle School Principal
5th Grade
Landon Kilian
6th Grade
Miaya Jackson
7th Grade
Amara Brinkman
8th Grade
Karma Olliverre
Dear Families,
As we reach the midpoint of the school year, February is a wonderful time to refocus on goals, routines, and overall well-being. The second half of the year often brings new academic challenges, extracurricular activities, and social dynamics. Supporting students both emotionally and academically remains a priority in the counseling program.
This month, we will continue to focus on topics such as goal setting, organization, positive peer relationships, and coping strategies for managing stress. Helping students build these skills strengthens their confidence and resilience both inside and outside of school.
February also provides an opportunity to emphasize kindness and empathy. Small actions—encouraging words, including others, and showing respect—can have a significant impact on our school community. We encourage families to continue conversations at home about treating others with compassion and standing up for what is right.
Consistent attendance remains essential to student success. Missing school—even occasionally—can make it harder for students to keep up academically and socially. Establishing predictable routines and reinforcing the importance of being present each day helps students stay on track.
If your child is experiencing academic concerns, social challenges, or simply needs someone to talk to, please do not hesitate to reach out. Working together, we can ensure every student feels supported and empowered to succeed.
Thank you for your continued partnership.
Warmly,
Mary Beth Hardie
Congratulations to Becky Sphar and Jenelle Bauer for receiving an Excellence in Student Service Award presented at the Legislative Leadership Day on January 24, 2026 at Letchworth Central School. The Award was for the impactful "Fresh Connections" club that the lead after school in the Middle School.
Fresh Connections Club is an ongoing afterschool program serving students in grades 5–8 at Attica Middle School. The club is open to all students and is intentionally designed to be inclusive and accessible to learners with a wide range of academic strengths, backgrounds, and needs. Family members and community partners are also involved through special events and collaborative activities.
The mission of Fresh Connections Club is to help students build meaningful connections to healthy food, their local community, and practical life skills through hands-on, experiential learning. A central component of the program is student participation in the full food cycle—planting, growing, harvesting, and preparing food. By engaging directly in this process, students gain a deeper understanding of where food comes from and the responsibility, planning, and care required to produce it.
The program emphasizes nutrition education and food literacy, gardening and food production, farm-to-table concepts, and local food systems. Students also develop social-emotional skills through teamwork and shared experiences, while gaining career awareness related to agriculture, food, nutrition, and hospitality. Through these experiences, students learn how food choices impact both personal health and the well-being of the broader community. The club provides a supportive environment where students can try new activities, collaborate with peers, and build confidence.
Fresh Connections Club takes place at Attica Middle School, utilizing school spaces for food preparation, tastings, and educational activities. Students also work in school-based garden areas and connect with local farms, food producers, and community organizations through guest presentations, demonstrations, and donated materials. These partnerships strengthen real-world learning and reinforce community ties.
The program meets weekly throughout the school year and also includes a summer component. This extended structure allows students to continue gardening and hands-on food production activities when school is not in session, providing consistent engagement and opportunities to build skills and relationships over time.
Fresh Connections Club has had a strong and ongoing impact on students. More than 60 students have participated, with approximately 25 attending regularly. Due to high interest, the program maintains a waiting list for most sessions. Attendance remains steady, and students consistently demonstrate enthusiasm for participation.
Students gain practical knowledge about nutrition and food preparation through gardening, taste tests, menu planning, and cooking activities. Growing and harvesting produce encourages students to try new foods and better understand fresh ingredients. Many students report sharing what they learn with their families and discussing healthier choices at home.
Activities connect directly to real-world applications. Students explore how food moves from planting to harvest and from farm to table, while learning about agriculture, food systems, and related careers. Experiences such as caring for and utilizing chickens raised by the program help students understand food sourcing and develop respect for the production process.
Through collaboration and shared responsibilities, students strengthen communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. Farm-to-table events invite families to celebrate student learning, promoting a school culture that values healthy choices, teamwork, and community engagement.
2-7-26 Odyssey of the Mind Competition at Mt. Morris
2-7-26 Instrumental Solo Fest at LeRoy
2-9-26 Math Team Final Competition at GCC
2-11-26 Whale Watch Meeting in the Auditorium 6:30pm
2-13-26 Wax Museum 6th grade 9:00-10:00am
2/16-2/20 President's Day Recess and Lunar New Year
2/23-2/27 National FFA Week
2-27-26 Fun Night 5/6 grade (**Moved to March 6th)
2-27-26 Attica Drama/Musical "Wizard of Oz" 7:00pm
2-28-26 Attica Drama/Musical "Wizard of Oz" 7:00pm
2-2-26 Yearbook Club 3:15-4:30pm
2-4-26 Fresh Connections 3:20-5:00pm
2-4-26 Yearbook Club 3:15-4:30pm
2-9-26 Art Club 3:15-4:30pm
2-12-26 Fresh Connections 3:20-5:00pm
2-26-26 Fresh Connections 3:20-5:00pm
Health Office Reminders
Dear Families,
As we move through the winter months, the Health Office would like to share a few important reminders to help keep our students healthy and ready to learn.
February is a time when we typically see an increase in seasonal illnesses. Please continue to monitor your child for symptoms such as fever, persistent cough, sore throat, or stomach illness. Students should remain home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. Encouraging regular handwashing, proper rest, and good nutrition can go a long way in preventing the spread of illness.
This month, we will also be conducting vision and hearing screenings for all 5th and 7th grade students, as required by New York State guidelines. These screenings are important tools in identifying potential concerns that may impact learning. If any follow-up is needed, parents/guardians will be notified directly. If your child wears glasses or contacts, please remind them to bring or wear them on the day of testing.
If your child has had any recent changes in medical conditions, medications, or immunizations, please notify the Health Office so we can keep records up to date. Open communication helps us provide the best care possible during the school day. 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.