Oriole Blast

The class of '23 graduates from Avon High School on Friday, May 26. In this, the final issue of Oriole Blast for the 2022-23 school year, join us in celebrating this incredible group of Orioles as they prepare to leave the nest and fly into their wide-open futures.

When we watch the news or scroll social media and see reports about the drug crisis, we can think, “Not in our town," or, "Not in my home.” The recent deaths of two Avon students remind us that, yes, illegal drug use is affecting our community. Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham has a message for all concerned adults in our community and an invitation to attend a special info session on substance abuse on May 18.

The substance abuse epidemic isn't only happening somewhere else or on the evening news. It is affecting young people in our community. In this extremely important episode of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast, Willow Center Community Director Chase Cotten, Avon School Counseling and Mental Wellness Coordinator Krista Fay, and Avon School Police Department Chief Sam Leahy join Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham for a deep discussion with one objective: equipping caring adults to help young people who are at risk of being swept up in harmful habits or who are already affected.

As you receive your property tax bill, here's what to remember. Indiana’s property tax caps are based on the value of your home. When your home’s value increases, your property taxes increase. Since Avon voters approved the referendum in 2018, Avon Schools has: lowered the referendum rate each year AND improved academically into the top 9% of Indiana school corporations WHILE serving a student body that has grown by nearly 9%.

Listen in as Dr. Wyndham talks with AHS Transition Coordinator Kimberly Lobosky, senior Mikal Cooper, junior Owen Carr, '20 AHS graduate Bryce Bottema, and Food Service Administrator Emily Cates about the AHS Work Study program and how it's helping students build the skills they need to find and keep rewarding, meaningful employment in our community.

Last weekend, the AHS Large Ensemble brought home their third state title in three consecutive years. They not only earned their highest score to date but the highest score of the entire State Competition, which is composed of multiple categories including solos, duets, Junior Ensembles, Small Ensembles, and Large Ensembles.

Abigail Hatfield partially credits her experience in the Avon Marching Black and Gold for preparing her to march across the Avon High School graduation stage this spring and to continue marching when she arrives at the United States Military Academy — more commonly referred to as West Point — this summer.

Avon Schools has partnered with local organizations to provide foundational English classes for parents of Avon students who are recent immigrants. More than 50 adults registered and showed up.

Welcome to the New Year's first issue of Oriole Blast. We begin with a literal flood at Maple Elementary before we get to the 'flood' of good news that follows.