Mount Morris Central School District

Mount Morris Odyssey of the Mind Teams Advance to State Finals! We are proud to announce that four (4) of our Odyssey of the Mind teams have advanced to the New York State Finals! After showcasing their creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork at the regional competition, these talented students are set to compete at the State Finals on Saturday, April 5th, at the New York State Fairgrounds. Meet Our State Finalists: Division II (Grades 6-8) Teams Advancing: • Coach: Amanda Lonsberry Team Members: David Kelley, Scott Lonsberry, Trinity Tidd, Madelyn O'Dell, Lilly Locke, Samuel Lonsberry, and Henry Tellier • Coach: Nicole Miller Team Members: Evan Privitera, Ashlyn Lenney, Elissa Mallaber, Arianna Chase, Brooklyn Coniglio, Ryder Woodworth, and Peyton Smith • Coach: Morgan Smith Team Members: Sydney O'Grady, Alexis Straub, Eli Hall, Eliana Oddo, Chase Woodworth, Anthony Tidd, and Aubree Lippens *This team received the prestigious Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award! Division I (Grades 3-5) Team Advancing: • Coach: Anne Zingaro Team Members: Elizabeth Tidd, Peyton Nowak, Meredith O'Dell, Charlie Bump, Cooper Woodworth, Gideon Kelley, and Jonah Kelley *A Prestigious Honor – The Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award Coach Morgan Smith’s team was awarded the Ranatra Fusca Creativity Award, a highly prestigious recognition in the Odyssey of the Mind program. This award is given to teams (or individuals) that demonstrate exceptional creativity and embody the true spirit of the competition. It is presented at all levels, from regional tournaments to World Finals. Since 1980, the names of winners have been engraved on the Ranatra Fusca trophy, which is displayed at the World Finals Awards Ceremony and has even been showcased in Explorer’s Hall at the National Geographic Society building in Washington, D.C. State Finals Await! With their innovative solutions and dedication, these students are ready to take on the State Finals. Congratulations to all of our incredible participants, their coaches, and families for their hard work and support. Best of luck to our teams as they compete at the next level! Go Blue Devils!

Congrats to Luis Crespo-Toledo (#3) and Anthony Hightower (#0) for representing the boys Varsity basketball team in the LCAA Exceptional Senior game! Both played an outstanding game, leading their team to a well-deserved victory. Great job, gentlemen! 👏🏀

🌸🎶 Junior High Spring Social – Grades 7-9! 🎶🌸 📅 March 28 | ⏰ 6:00-9:00 PM | 📍 HS Gym 💃🎭 Enjoy dancing, games, face painting, and a photo booth! 🎟️ Tickets: $3 🥤🍿 Snacks & refreshments will be available for purchase! Don’t miss out on the fun! 🎉

🎶🔬 STEAM Jam 2025! 🔬🎶 Our 5th graders had an amazing opportunity to attend STEAM Jam, a hands-on experience blending technology, creativity, and learning! 📚 Leading up to the event, students in Social Studies researched an African American musician for Black History Month, with the option to showcase their work through posters, slide shows, or essays. Those who demonstrated exemplary effort were selected to attend this exciting event! At STEAM Jam, students: 💻 Learned Binary Code and created keychains with their initials! 🤖 Programmed Sphero robots to create a laser light show! 🎤 Used a Green Screen to unleash their inner rockstar! 🤩 Got a front-row seat to the Tech Wars competition! This unique experience, made possible by a collaboration with Mrs. Miller, was a fantastic way to explore STEAM concepts in a fun, engaging way. Great job to our young innovators! 💙💛

🔵⚡ MMCSD Students Shine at Tech Wars! ⚡🔵 Several of our high school students competed at the Tech Wars Competition at GCC, tackling hands-on STEM challenges. 👏 Special congratulations to Micah Arney (9th) and Logan Martin (9th) for taking 2nd place in the Mystery Challenge! This unique event required them to build a cantilever structure using just two pieces of paper and a 10-inch piece of tape—and they did an incredible job! Great job to all our participants: Micah Arney, Addy Barnhardt, Michael Congdon, Addy Coniglio, Addy DiPasquale, Nayshawn Hightower, Jack Johnson, Olivia Kaiser, Logan Martin, Tommy Schmieder, and Morgan Yencer. We are so proud of you! 💙

Congratulations to Dominic LaPiana III on receiving the Youth Leadership Award from Senator Pamela Helming! 🎉 Dominic’s dedication to MMCSD goes beyond the classroom—he played a key role in establishing our first-ever bowling team and reviving the school’s baseball program. Dominic was also selected to participate in Close Up and continues to lead by example as a top student who excels in rigorous coursework. Thank you to The Livingston County News for highlighting his achievements! Read more here: https://bit.ly/4hFm11N

🌿✨ Join us for the 3rd Annual Wellness Fair! ✨🌿 📅 Saturday, April 5 🕙 10 AM – 1 PM 📍 MMCSD High School Gymnasium Enjoy free prizes 🎁, fun family activities 🎨, and explore wellness resources at this amazing event! Hosted by the Social Justice Club in partnership with Kiwanis’ Indoor Arts & Crafts Show. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate health, community, and creativity! See you there! 💙

11th Grade Students Take a Close Up Look at Government in Washington, D.C. Last week, 11th grade students participating in the Close Up program embarked on their annual week-long trip to Washington, D.C. This prestigious National Youth Leadership Conference offers students a unique opportunity to explore the inner workings of government at the local, state, and national levels. During the trip, students had the chance to meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill and participate in a Mock Congress, where they gained hands-on experience in the legislative process. In addition to their government-focused activities, the students also explored the rich history of the nation’s capital, visiting iconic monuments, Smithsonian Institution museums, and awe-inspiring memorials. The Close Up program provides a powerful educational experience, helping students deepen their understanding of the American political system while fostering leadership skills and civic engagement.

🎶🥁 Steel Drum Showcase! 🥁🎶 Each year, our fifth grade students have the amazing opportunity to take steel drum lessons! Last week, they participated in their Steel Drum Residency, learning rhythms and melodies on these incredible instruments. On Friday, they wrapped up the experience with a special performance for their classmates, teachers, and families! 🎵👏 A video was taken and will be shared with families who couldn’t attend. A huge thank you to Percussionist and Teaching Artist, Ted Canning for working with our students each year and bringing the joy of music to our school! 💙

🏀 Congratulations to Coach Stout and the Boys Varsity Basketball Team! 🏀 We are proud to announce that the Mount Morris Boys Varsity Basketball Team has been selected as the Thomas Emmanuel Sportsmanship Award recipient for the 2024-2025 season by the Varsity Officials of IAABO Board #60! 🎉 This award recognizes teams that exemplify sportsmanship, character, and ethics at the highest level among players, coaches, and spectators. It is a testament to the outstanding leadership of Coach Stout and the dedication of our student-athletes. The team will be honored at a banquet on March 31, 2025, where one of the league winners will be named the top-rated school in all of Section 5. Way to go, Blue Devils! 💙🏀

📢 Reminder! 📢 The deadline to order your 2025 Yearbook is coming up! ⏳ Don’t miss out on the memories—place your order before April 8th! 💻 Order online at: buytheyearbook.com. 🔑 Enter Code: 722471. 💵 Price: $25. For cash sales, contact aatwell@mtmorriscsd.org. Class of 2025, no purchase is necessary—yearbooks will be provided by MMCSD!

🏆 Congratulations to our Winter Sports LCAA All-Stars & Exceptional Seniors! 🏆 We are proud to recognize the following athletes for their outstanding performances this season: 🌟 LCAA All-Stars 🏀 Addyson Barnhardt - Girls Basketball 🏀 Shaniese Brown - Girls Basketball 📣 Adiari Camacho - Cheer 🏀 Anthony Hightower - Boys Basketball 🏀 Morgan Luick - Girls Basketball 🎖️ Exceptional Seniors 🏀 Shaniese Brown - Girls Basketball 📣 Adiari Camacho - Cheer 🏀 Luis Crespo-Toledo - Boys Basketball 🏀 Anthony Hightower - Boys Basketball 🏀 Morgan Luick - Girls Basketball 📣 Savannah Morris - Cheer 🏀 Gabrielle Pagano - Girls Basketball 📣 Kaylee Ortiz - Cheer 📅 Mark your calendars! The Exceptional Senior Basketball Game will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Letchworth High School. The Girls Basketball game tips off at 6:00 PM, followed by the Boys game at 7:15 PM. Our cheerleaders will also be showcasing their skills at this special event! Let’s celebrate these incredible athletes! 💙💛👏

🍀🎉 Family Fun Night is almost here! 🎉🍀 Join us on March 14 from 6-8 PM in the Elementary Gym for an evening of fun! Enjoy the bounce house, karate demo, pool, pizza, snacks, and games! 📢 All students must have a parent or responsible adult (18+) in attendance. Don't miss out on the fun—see you there! 💙💛

Mount Morris Students Gain Real-World Financial Experience at JA Finance Park. Mount Morris 8th grade students recently took part in Junior Achievement’s JA Finance Park®, a capstone program designed to teach personal financial planning and career exploration. This hands-on experience provided students with a foundation for making intelligent financial decisions that will last a lifetime. Throughout the day, students learned about crucial financial topics such as income, expenses, savings, and credit. The program immersed students in real-world financial scenarios, allowing them to engage with volunteers from various local businesses. They participated in discussions about taxes, utility expenses, and the different types of insurance they will need as adults. The highlight of the experience was when students had the opportunity to put their learning into practice by developing a personal budget. After working through their budgets, students had the chance to "shop" for essential life items, including housing, transportation, and leisure activities. This activity gave them insight into the costs associated with independent living and tested their ability to estimate expenses within their assigned income levels. Family and Consumer Sciences teacher Mr. Comstock reflected on the experience, saying, "Students were really engaged throughout the entire day, and it was fun to listen to conversations when they realized how expensive the real world is. Each student was randomly assigned a life scenario with a monthly income, and they worked really hard to fit everything into their personal budget. I thought the trip was a big success, and I cannot wait to go back next year." JA Finance Park® provided students with a valuable opportunity to apply financial concepts in a meaningful way, helping to prepare them for the financial realities of adulthood. The experience left a lasting impression, and students walked away with a greater appreciation for financial responsibility.

Congratulations to Chantel Lopez! 🎉💙 Mount Morris CSD 11th grader, Chantel Lopez, has been recognized as Student of the Month for February in her Career & Technical Cosmetology program! As a first-year student, Chantel has already demonstrated outstanding dedication and skill in her field. We are so proud of her hard work and commitment—keep up the great work, Chantel! 👏✂️💄

📚✨ Congratulations to Mrs. Willey’s 4th-grade class for being the top contributor in this year’s Math Week Penny Challenge! 🏆🪙 This annual tradition encourages students to bring in pennies, and this year, our elementary classrooms raised an incredible $480! All proceeds go toward stocking our book vending machine, which rewards students for their achievements in character, reading, and going above and beyond. Great job, Blue Devils! 💙📖

Mount Morris Central School District Celebrates National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society Inductions. On Wednesday, March 5th, Mount Morris Central School District proudly welcomed new members into the prestigious National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). The induction ceremony recognized students who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character—core pillars of both organizations. National Honor Society Inductees This year's NHS inductees include Shawntez Brown, Elijah Clester, Savannah Ebersole, Alex Gell, Dominic Lapiana, Rylee Lippens, Bella Oddo, Manuel Padro, Samuel Padro, Jeremiah Roberts, Dylan Terry, and Nikoal Tidd. These students have shown exceptional dedication to their academics and their community, earning their place among the distinguished ranks of NHS members. The ceremony was a momentous occasion, celebrating the achievements of these outstanding students while also recognizing the responsibilities that come with NHS membership. Each inductee took the NHS pledge, committing to uphold the values of scholarship, leadership, service, and character throughout their high school careers and beyond. As a lasting tribute to their accomplishment, the NHS inductees' photos will be displayed on the auditorium wall while they remain active NHS members. This honor serves as a testament to their hard work and dedication, inspiring future generations of students to strive for excellence. National Junior Honor Society Inductees In addition to the NHS inductees, Mount Morris Central School District also inducted students into the National Junior Honor Society. The NJHS recognizes middle school students who have excelled academically and demonstrated leadership and service within the school community. This year's NJHS inductees include Jonah Clester, Owen Clester, Forest Hull, Allison LaGeorge, Eliana Oddo, Addison Pagano, Sheyla Rodriguez, Brody Rudney, Anthony Tidd Jr., Peyton Tidd, Trinity Tidd, Chloe White, Jordan Willey, and Cameron Zingaro. These students have exemplified the core values of NJHS and are poised to continue their dedication to excellence in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Congratulations to all the newest members of the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society at Mount Morris Central School District! Their commitment to academic success and service to others exemplifies the values of our school community.

📚✨ In celebration of Read Across America Week, our 8th graders teamed up with our 1st graders for a special reading session in the library! It was a wonderful opportunity for our older students to mentor and inspire a love of reading in our younger Blue Devils. 📖💙 The smiles, stories, and shared moments made for a fantastic experience!

Scott Lonsberry's 'Grill Dads' Shines at Echoes Performance: Celebrating Student Playwrights; Throughout the school year, the REV Theater Company collaborates with our students in grades K-8, providing enriching theatrical experiences. In the elementary grades, students explore key concepts, themes, and the importance of audience etiquette. Meanwhile, middle school students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to craft their own original plays and submit them to Echoes, a creative writing competition where selected pieces are brought to life on stage. On March 4th, Mount Morris Central School District students gathered for the much-anticipated Echoes performance, where student-written works took center stage. This year, eighth-grader Scott Lonsberry’s Grill Dads was selected for production, delivering a witty and sharp narrative that had the audience laughing and fully immersed in the performance. In addition to these outstanding achievements, several other Mount Morris students received recognition for their creative writing submissions. Their dedication to storytelling and theater was evident, showcasing the incredible talent within our school community. Congratulations to all of our young playwrights for their hard work and creativity! We are proud to see our students embrace the arts and share their voices through storytelling. A special thank you to the REV Theater Company for their continued partnership and commitment to inspiring the next generation of writers and performers.

🎉 February High School Students of the Month 🎉 Congratulations to our February Students of the Month! This month, we celebrated Friendship, recognizing students who demonstrate kindness, loyalty, and care for others' well-being. Their positive impact makes Mount Morris proud! 💙👏 Keep up the great work, Blue Devils! 💪