Dear Avon High School Families,
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible accomplishments of our students, the strength of our community, and the shared moments that define us as a school. First, I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to our fall sports athletes who were recognized as part of the All-Academic Team! To achieve this honor, student-athletes must earn a varsity letter and be named to their respective academic honor roll—a testament to their dedication both on the field and in the classroom. Their hard work, time management, and commitment to excellence inspire us all. These students represent the very best of Avon High School, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements and the example they set for their peers.
At AHS, we are deeply committed to fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and cultural competence in all that we do. These skills are essential not just for academic success but for thriving in an increasingly interconnected world. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in extracurricular activities, our students continue to demonstrate these attributes, working together, solving complex problems, and respecting diverse perspectives. This past week, we saw a profound example of our community’s compassion and resilience as we mourned the unexpected loss of one of our own, Thomas “Tommy” Lowell. In the face of tragedy, our students showed extraordinary kindness and empathy, reaching out to ask how they could honor his memory and support one another. The outpouring of love at his memorial services, and the heartfelt tribute by his choir class at Thursday’s choral concert, were beautiful testaments to the many lives Tommy touched. This shared grief has reminded us of the strength we find in each other and the importance of our connections.
As we approach the winter holidays, we recognize and honor the diversity of traditions and experiences within our school community. This season holds unique meanings for each of us, and we are mindful of the many ways our families celebrate—or choose not to celebrate. Whether your time is spent lighting candles, gathering with loved ones, reflecting quietly, or embracing other cherished traditions, we hope this winter break offers you peace, joy, and quality time with those you hold dear. For those who have experienced loss this year, we extend our deepest sympathies and our support.
Thank you for your unwavering support of our students and staff. I am grateful for this community and look forward to an exciting and meaningful 2025, filled with opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.
With warmest wishes,
Dr. Lockhart
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GENERAL
**JUNIORS AND SENIORS**: If you have a study hall during the first or last period in Semester 2 and are interested in late arrival or early dismissal, your parents must complete the permission form sent to their email. This form grants approval for you to be excused from study hall, allowing you to arrive late or leave early on a daily basis. YOU WILL NOT BE GIVEN PERMISSION FOR LATE ARRIVAL/EARLY DISMISSAL ON A DAILY BASIS WITHOUT THIS FORM BEING COMPLETED BY YOUR PARENT.**
The annual Wallace Stevens Poetry Contest for UConn Early College Experience students is now open! All students enrolled in at least one UConn course through the UConn ECE program for the 2024-2025 academic year are eligible. Deadline: January 24, 2025.
Buy a 2025 Avon High yearbook now!- Yearbooks are now for sale at yearbookforever.com Be sure to choose Avon High in CONNECTICUT. Yearbooks typically sell out by mid-year, so please order early. On this page, parents of seniors can also purchase a message space which includes pictures and text. Message space is also limited, so please order early. We also need candid photos of 2 or more seniors from Kindergarten through this year (K-12) including all school activities and sports. Please click the YEARBOOK SNAP button at the top of the sales page and enter "avonfalcon" as the password in order to upload photos for our use in the book. There is also a Yearbook Snap app in the Apple store if you will be uploading often.Thanks for all of your support. Contact jsalerni@avon.k12.ct.us with any questions
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
AHS Theatre will hold an informational meeting on January 3rd about our next production, Mama Mia! Join us in the choir room at 2:30pm.
Together, we can create a brighter future for every child. Join our Carrying for Kids Club in our mission to uplift, empower, and make a real difference in the lives of kids who need it most! The club meets Monday mornings at 7:20 in Ms. Fisher's room.
ATHLETICS
Unified Basketball starts Monday January 6th - Practices are every Monday and Thursday from 2:15 -3:00 in the old gym. Updated physical and permission slips are due before the first practice. Game schedule will be sent out closer to the season. Please see Ms. Fisher or Ms. Edwards if you have any questions.
Daily Sport Schedule - https://ciac.fpsports.org/DashboardSchedule.aspx?QuickFilter=1&SchoolID=10
CAREER RELATED OPPORTUNITIES
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Field trip on Jan. 9 - Lincoln Tech - East Windsor, CT. Please email Mrs. Mascoli if you are interested in participating in a to learn more about their Automotive, Electrical, Diesel & Truck Technology, HVAC, Medical Assistant, and Welding programs.
Cardiac Challenge - Virtual Program—Saturday, January 18, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Connecticut Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network at UConn Health. Space is limited so please register here as soon as possible.
This activity is geared toward high school students ages 14-17.
The virtual activity will be conducted using Webex, a free and secure online video conferencing platform.
Supplies for the design activity will be shipped to each student’s home in advance.
Your student will need access to a computer (desktop or laptop) or Chromebook with internet connection and a table with a bit of space for construction activities.
Students will engage in small-group breakout sessions with easy/fun hands-on activities (including heart valve design) facilitated by our health professions student mentors and have a Q&A session with special guests who will share insights about the BME and other health-related academic/career paths.
The cost of attendance is $45 (if cost-prohibitive, inquire about our small scholarship fund)
Heart Valve Engineering- This program is designed for students aged 14-17 who are interested in a career in science, technology, engineering and/or math. It is sponsored by the Connecticut Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) and UConn Health. Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Location: Webex Video Conference Meeting. Cost: $45 (per participant) Register here. Do not register for this if you are attending the Cardiac Challenge. You may only attend one or the other.
Interested in careers in Healthcare, Finance, Biomed, STEM, Entrepreneurship, Welding, leadership workshops, and more? Click here to see all the amazing enrichment opportunities offered to our students.
INTERNSHIPS
Juniors and Seniors! -Have you considered enrolling in the AHS Achieve Internship program? Please contact Mrs. Mascoli if you are interested in gaining hands-on experience, developing skills, and exploring career fields through the Achieve Internship Program.
PICTURES
The last day before the Winter recess is always a great day at AHS. This year there was a chance for student's to 'pie a teacher' to raise money for PJ Day at CCMC. There was a concert that went throughout the school day with performances from our amazingly talented students, and the winner of the door decorating contest was announced (Ms. Edwards' door, not pictured).
UNICEF/Amnesty club hosted a "Culture Night" last Friday in the gallery. There were various cultures represented with food, music, games and more that showcased the Diversity present within Avon High School.
Seniors practicing for their CPR certification in their Health and Safety class.
The Avon HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America ) club hosted an Epilepsy Trivia night to spread awareness and raise money for families affected by Epilepsy. Some students got Seizure First Aid certified!
The AHS Winter Choral Concert was held on Thursday, It is always an incredible night that showcases the talent and range of our students.
Last week, our school faced a heartbreaking loss with the unexpected passing of Thomas "Tommy" Lowell. In honor of Tommy, our faculty and staff came together to support his family through donations and wore green on Monday, the day of his funeral, to raise awareness about mental health. Avon High School is committed to supporting students who may be facing mental health challenges. A range of resources is available to provide care and assistance.
Last week, our JV mock trial team members (Sabria Ahmed, Shadan Gadkarim, Samhith Bhyravavajhala, Katie Antonio, Shaunak Chimade, Jaxon Ford, Jinglu Hu, Ariana Khan, Kaitlyn LaMonika, Aidan McLaughlin, Hridyesha Palsikar, and Zaeda Reid) were victorious in both rials during the first round of the CT Mock Trial competition. They will be progressing forward to the next round of competition. Our varsity team (Aradhana Chetnani, Kayla Curran, Clara Feyerharm, Shruthi Hanumanthu, Kit Hetu-Davis, Zoe Howe, Panya Khattar, Swapnika Kotra, Yonlee Park, Krisha Sinha, Anaya Sukera, Lauren Titone, Harshini Balaji) also did a fantastic job, competing strongly against two VERY challenging teams and winning one of their two trials. These students made Avon very proud with their dedication, determination, and professionalism in the courthouse (and over the last few months). They are an incredible group of kids and they did an amazing job!
For the past 7 years, AHS has participated in the statewide fundraiser PJ Day for the Kids to support children with cancer. This year, AHS had a goal of $1500 this year which they surpassed. It's not too late to donate. Click this link to support children battling cancer.
Students collaborating on a project in Ceramics class.