Avon

Avon Middle-High Graduate Brooke von Ehrenkrook to be Published in The Massachusetts High School Magazine of the Arts 2018

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Avon Public Schools
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
1 Patrick Clark Drive
Avon, MA 02322

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Avon Middle-High Graduate Brooke von Ehrenkrook to be Published in The Massachusetts High School Magazine of the Arts 2018

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni and The Marble Collection, Inc. are pleased to announce that Avon Middle-High graduate Brooke von Ehrenkrook’s creative writing piece “When Flowers Cry” will be published in The Massachusetts High School Magazine of the Arts 2018 on May 20.

 

“When Flowers Cry” was jury-selected from over 700 submissions of poetry, photography, artwork, and creative writing pieces by teens throughout Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts High School Magazine of the Arts is the only statewide print and online publication featuring artistic pieces by students in grades 8-12 published by nonprofit The Marble Collection, based at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Works included in the publication are juror-selected in order to display works of true artistic excellence. The piece was selected last spring, when von Ehrenkrook was a senior, though it is being published for the first time in the spring 2018 edition.

Said von Ehrenkrook at the time of her selection in April 2017: “Throughout the process of writing and revising this story, I’ve gained a more concrete vision for what I want my writing to address. I’ve realized that the representation of and intersectionality between different identities is really important to me. ‘When Flowers Cry’ explores LGBT+ themes alongside mental and physical health problems, and I hope to continue exploring these themes, both in future creative writing and through my career in music.”

Von Ehrenkrook is currently finishing her freshman year at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley.

After being selected for publication, Brooke attended The Marble Collection’s free 6-week Mentoring for Publication Workshop where she was paired with a college mentor to develop and edit her work for publication and learn how to present her artistic vision audiences.

“Brooke has an innate talent for writing; her work, ranging from fantasy short stories to powerful poetry, reflects her own personal experiences as well as how she envisions the world could or should be,” said English Language Arts Department teacher Rebecca Howe, one of von Ehrenkrook’s past instructors. “She writes with heart and with the tenderness of conviction, creating original narratives in which countless heroines struggle to find inner strength or to recognize–or be recognized for–their own unique greatness.”

The Massachusetts High School Magazine of the Arts is set for release in mid-May and can be purchased online. Spring Into Art, The Marble Collection’s annual magazine release gala, will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 3-5 p.m. at UMass Boston’s Harbor Gallery and will honor the published teens. The gala will feature an exhibition and sale their artwork as well as a program of teens reading their original creative writing pieces. Students receive free admission. General Admission tickets can be purchased for $25.

About The Marble Collection

The Marble Collection, Inc. (TMC), a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, publishes the only Massachusetts statewide print and online magazine of the arts featuring jury-selected artwork, photography, poetry and creative writing by students in grades 8 to 12. TMC pairs its teens one-to-one with college student mentors in its Mentoring for Publication Workshop to develop their 21st century skills through four steps: create, respond, connect, and present. In the 6-week workshop, teens explore the creative process, edit their work for publication and exhibition, and learn to present their artistic visions to audiences. At a time when budget cuts and an emphasis on standardized testing mean that fewer teens in Massachusetts have access to the arts, TMC collaborates with 200 Massachusetts schools and community groups to publish and mentor 125 teen writers and artists each school year. For additional information please visit: http://www.themarblecollection.org.

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Avon Middle-High School Hosts Successful Event on Child Social Media Usage

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Avon Public Schools
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
1 Patrick Clark Drive
Avon, MA 02322

For Immediate Release

Monday, April 30, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Avon Middle-High School Hosts Successful Event on Child Social Media Usage

BSU Professor Elizabeth Englander Addresses Parent/Guardian Concerns at Event Earlier this Month

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that the Avon Middle-High School hosted a successful forum on adolescent social media use, which featured an informational presentation by a renowned Bridgewater State University psychology professor who is an expert on the subject of cyberbullying and the potential pitfalls of digital communication.

Professor Elizabeth Englander hosted “Social Media Info Night” for parents and guardians of students on April 10. The event was part of the school district’s ongoing series on student safety and awareness for families this year.

Englander spoke to parents of students in grades 4-12 about keeping an open, ongoing dialogue with their children about social media use. She spoke about electronic devices, smartphones, general internet safety, guidelines for limiting use and ground rules like keeping phones in the parent’s bedroom at night in order to keep children safe and healthy.

Some tips Englander recommends to parents included:

  • Constantly speak to children about what they are using and who they are talking to
  • Intervene early if child behavior is alarming
  • Have a plan for conversation when children inevitably see something inappropriate online
  • Keep phones away from children during bedtime and throughout the night so they can get adequate sleep

“I have a 9 year-old at home and even though a personal cell phone is not an issue right now, the information from Dr. Englander was incredibly helpful” stated Amanda Decker, the Coordinator for the Avon Coalition for Every Student (ACES). Decker helped to organize the event.

Highlights from the event were re-broadcast on local access Channel 9 from April 16-23. Avon Public Schools also taped the entire event for the parents and guardians who were not able to attend. Those who want to access the tape can go to the Avon Public Library, 280 W Main St., to view it.

Englander earned her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern California. She has been teaching at BSU since 1993 and focuses primarily on “childhood causes of abusive and violent behavior, and her research examines bullying and cyberbullying behaviors during the school years,” according to her faculty profile on the BSU website. In 2004 she received a grant from BSU that was integral in the creation of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center. She is a sought-after speaker and presenter on these topics and regularly appears in the media as a subject matter expert.

 

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Avon Middle School Students Take Part in First Annual Science Fair

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Avon Public Schools
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
1 Patrick Clark Drive
Avon, MA 02322

For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Avon Middle School Students Take Part in First Annual Science Fair

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that the Avon Middle-High School’s first annual science fair earlier this month was a success.

On Thursday, April 12, over 60 seventh grade students took part in the science fair.

The fair winners and the titles of their projects were:

  • First Place – Lydia Meressi – Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
  • Second Place – TJ Weatherby – Mass and Speed of Toys and Cars
  • Third Place – Chloe Snow – Can Cats Learn Dog Tricks?
  • Honorable Mention – Skye Nieves – The Effects of Temperature on Batteries
  • Honorable Mention – Cole Sweet – Free Throw Shots: Underhand or Overhand?

Students began their projects in January by selecting topics that interested them. In addition to utilizing scientific and engineering processes, the students also gained skills in project planning, project management, research, record keeping and communication.

During the fair, their projects were on full display inside two classrooms, where friends, parents and the school community could see their work. Students set up tri-fold poster boards explaining their projects and brought supplemental materials for the judges to see.

The projects covered a wide range of topics, including the effect of color on memory, the drag produced on remote control cars on different surfaces and engineering a working solar powered phone charger.

Local scientists and engineers volunteered their time to judge the event. Judges included representatives from Underwriters Laboratory, Brown University, the Avon Public Library and AccuRounds — an Avon-based machine manufacturing company.

“As a department, we are always trying to foster a sense of how important science is to the kids,” said Avon middle school science teacher Patricia McGaffigan.  “Being lucky enough to have our students connect with scientists and engineers to discuss their own work was an incredible learning experience. Every adult that interacted with the students was so encouraging and interested. It was a real confidence builder for many students. I hope they retain that confidence as they think about what their futures hold.”

Each winner was presented with a certificate and a medal while the first-place winner also received a trophy.

 

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Avon High School Group Works with Elementary School Students on Substance Abuse Prevention

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Avon Public Schools
Paul Zinni, Superintendent
1 Patrick Clark Drive
Avon, MA 02322

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Avon High School Group Works with Elementary School Students on Substance Abuse Prevention

AVON — Superintendent Paul Zinni is pleased to announce that the high school group, Students Advocating Life without Substance Abuse (SALSA), recently spoke to several Avon elementary school students about saying no to drugs and alcohol.

On Thursday, April 12, 10 members of the SALSA club visited fifth and sixth grade students at Butler Elementary School to give a presentation.

At the beginning of the school year, the SALSA members signed pledges stating that they would not use any drugs or alcohol. They also committed to being leaders at school and in the community and would strive to be role models to their peers and fellow students.


In their presentation to the elementary school students, they spoke about their personal reasons for remaining drug and alcohol free and how their decisions impact the goals they have set for themselves.


The presentation included skits where students successfully declined peer pressure by demonstrating refusal skills and making healthy and smart choices.


The SALSA students were able to make personal connections with their younger peers as part of the presentation and helped them formulate their own refusal responses when faced with peer pressure and unhealthy choices.


“This is a great way for some of our younger students to see first-hand that it’s OK to say no to drugs and alcohol. They’re hearing it directly from high school students who have been in some of these situations before,” said Amanda Decker, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for Avon. “Because young people still have developing brains, they tend to act first and think second. Developing refusal skills at a young age helps younger students to be prepared with a well thought out response before they encounter a decision involving unhealthy behavior.”

In addition to the presentation, an email letter was also sent home to parents and guardians to help them follow up with their children to strengthen their refusal skills.

    

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