Did you know...? Our newsletter features different student artwork in the header every issue!

Big thanks going out to...

• All those involved in another successful Quest backpacking trip!
• Our teachers and staff who have prepared and coordinated so many fun, hands-on field trips recently and for the month of June
• Our HS band students who performed for the 4th grade class to expose them to new instruments and sounds in hopes that they will become interested in playing an instrument!
• The Chautauqua County American Legion for inviting fourth graders from Chautauqua county to participate in an essay contest - congrats Sadie & Benton!
• All the student teachers and college students who have spent time teaching, observing, and learning in our district this semester

June is #PrideMonth! PRIDE means belonging, and everyone belongs at FCSD.

Members of our GSA Club (Gay Straight Alliance) planted perennials and annuals under the HS sign by the main entrance to welcome spring and make it feel special and cared for. They hope to make this an annual tradition.

The students from left to right are Cloe Zamora, Eli Brielo, Makalya Jimerson, Raylee Flanders.

On Saturday, April 29, Fredonia Middle School Backpacking Club launched the 34th Annual Quest Backpacking Expedition with the one day hike. After completing eight weeks of classes, 65 eighth graders from Fredonia, Cassadaga, and Silver Creek Middle Schools took part in the adventure. They were guided by 30 high school student leaders and 30 adults. The first in a series of three hikes totaling 50 miles, campers learned hiking techniques, leave no trace lessons, how to set up their tents, proper road crossing procedure, layering, and how to manage their equipment. The two day hike was held May 5-6, and the four day hike was held May 17-20. The expedition is led by retired teachers, Stephen and Susan Cobb.

Thanks to Ryan Davis for the awesome video!

Congratulations to Alex Weiss, Josephine Tomaszewski, and Neil Cosico (not pictured) who all received awards at the recent Chautauqua County School Boards Association Annual Honors Night. Alex and Josie received awards as our Valedictorian and Salutatorian, and Neil won the Far West Council of School Superintendents' Scholarship.

More congrats to Neil Cosico and Alex Weiss, who also won $250 awards for their portfolios in College and Career Prep with Laura DePue. Fredonia was the only Chautauqua County School with winners! Neil and Alex enjoyed breakfast in Elma with Mr. Paschke and the other winners and received their awards.

We had a great Senior celebration recently for our Unified Basketball team seniors with some cake and other baked goods. Congrats to Gabriella Domenico, Austin Duliba, Giacinte Laurito, Cassandra Smoczynski (not pictured), Tristan Tarbell, Josephine Tomaszewski, and Jessica Sinclair! We can't wait to see what your future has in store!

Our #girlsontherun club participated in the Girls on the Run 5k this past weekend at UB. We had perfect weather, and a great group! Thanks to our coaches Laura Haase, Cassie Farrell, Shannon Marsh, Beth Robinson, and Bonnie Burnett.

Fredonia Elementary is proud to announce two winners of the annual “What the Flag Means to me” essay writing contest. The contest is conducted by the Chautauqua County American Legion and invites all fourth grade students in the county to participate.

Sadie Correale was awarded 1st place and Benton Kachelmeyer won 5th place for their respective essays. They were recognized in a ceremony held on Saturday, June 3rd at the Lakewood American Legion. Great work, Sadie & Benton!

Our High School PE classes played Kan Jam over the last two weeks of April.The Annual Staff Student tourney was played May 18 and a tightly-contested match was won by defending champions Dr Zilliox & Mike Hahn! They defeated Lucy Prevet & Mrs. Johnston in the semi-final in the 3rd game in overtime. In the final they defeated Mr. Romans & Sal Tabone in very close games. Congrats to everyone who played!

Congratulations to the over 60 FCSD students who participated in the CCMTA Spring Festival Honor Ensembles at Chautauqua Institution this past Saturday. It was a beautiful weekend to make music!

Congratulations to the Fredonia Girls 4 x 100m relay team on their second place finish at the Section 6 championships over the weekend! Congrats to Michaela Mead, Alana Cook, Ava Cook and Gigi Ferro.

These fifth grade students volunteered to give speeches on "What Memorial Day Means to Me" as part of the Memorial Day ceremony at the Dunkirk Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum. From left to right: Ella Sherlock, Jocelyn Robb, Dylan Kane, Lucie Katta, Jaelianni Buchanan, and Isabella Mapes. Well done!

A few of our High School Orchestra students performed at Next Chapter Bookstore in downtown Fredonia in April. The performance helped celebrate National Independent Bookstore Day. We love seeing our student musicians giving back to the community.

On May 5, members of the FCSD Music Department shared dinner together at Wegmans, and then went to Shea's Performing Arts Theater in downtown Buffalo to see the musical "Six". They had a great time!

Harper Griffin, Isaiah Nagel, Stian Lopez Arenosa, and Ronan Brenecki in Ms. Sobilo/Danler's class learned about using light and patterns to communicate!

Our elementary students recently took their science classes outside with a trip to the Audubon Community Nature Center in Jamestown, NY. They experienced hands-on learning and were able to strengthen their connection to nature. The students had a great time learning about animal habitats, plant life, and experiencing the springtime animals.

Congratulations to freshman Ray Dai who took first place nationally in the International Geography Bee in the Junior Varsity division! If he finishes in the top four next year (as a varsity participant), he will represent our nation in the International Olympiad Geography Bee. We are so proud of you!

On May 10, some of our high school students attended this year's NYSSMA Choral Majors Festival at Chautauqua Lake Secondary School. The students performed three pieces of music for a panel of expert music teachers. The students were nervous, but did extremely well!

The Fredonia Chamber Choir earned Gold with Distinction, the highest rating a music ensemble can receive at the festival, and only given to a handful of participants in the festival who demonstrate a high level of achievement.

Congrats to all the students involved for your hard work and dedication!

Also, a huge congratulations to Mirriam LaBarr and Ellie VanDette who earned individual scores of 100 (perfect!) for their solos in chorus (with Mr. Shanahan) and band (with Mr. Bennett), respectively. They will qualify to be selected for All-State. Good luck in the selection process!

One of the best things about walking the halls of our district is seeing all of the artwork on display. These Tim Burton style self portraits are some of our recent favorites!

On May 6, two teams of middle school readers attended Battle of the Books at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater. Battle of the Books is a lively academic competition that improves reading comprehension, builds vocabulary, and teaches teamwork and good sportsmanship!

Teams of five students and one adult coach each read the same 12 pre-assigned books over five months.

During the "battle", a moderator asks approximately 50 trivia questions that relate to one of the following: a direct quote from one of the book characters, a statement about something that happens in the book, a passage taken directly from the book, or details about an illustration or picture. The winning teams received prizes!

Congrats to Team Mind READers: Coach Forbes, Nina Carle, Kamden Farrington, Michaela Haas, Elias Harper, and Max Hernandez.

Congrats to Team OverBOOKed: Coach Marsh, Dylan Kane, Corey LaDue, Emily Morales, Amalia Rodriguez-Nunez, and Noah Smith.

Our elementary school is learning about the Revolutionary War. Each student chose an important event or figure to focus on in a write-up and included a historic image. Great work!

Mrs. Prevet and her students celebrated with the student teachers on their last day. Thank you! We'll miss you!

Our sixth graders had an excellent field trip to The Reg Lenna in Jamestown! They watched a live performance of The Lightning Thief, which coincided with a grade level novel study.

FMS Fifth graders Michaela Haas and Elias Harper participated in the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and SUNY Fredonia Hillman Opera Program’s production of Mozarts’s Magic Flute on Sunday April 23, at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo. The show was even more special because FCSD graduate Michael Hawk had a lead role in the cast. How cute are their costumes?

Ms. Sarah Korzeniewski's eighth grade Spanish students participated in an Earth Day poster contest. Winners from left to right are Nella Darrell-Sterbak, Juliana Snyder, Rosie Manzella, Charis LaBarr, and Rosemary Gugino (not pictured: Lauren Pergrim).

We are so proud of our Quiz Bowl scholars! They attended the 2023 Media One Radio Group's WWSE WHUG WKZA WJTN WQFX WKSN High School Bowl championship match at SUNY JCC. FCSD took first place! Way to go everyone!

Our fourth graders were invited to a special concert on Monday, May 15! Some of our high school students played several songs from their upcoming concert and demonstrated the different band instruments and their sounds.

Mr. Bennett loves to teach the fourth grade about the band, as they will have the chance to join the band in fifth grade. Students will get the chance to explore more instruments in their music classes this week!