April 24, 2026 District Newsletter
Updated Student Calendar Now Online: 2025-2026
The 2025–2026 school calendar has been updated on the district website to reflect the final day of school on June 16, 2026 (due to snow days) and high school graduation dates. Please note that June 15 and June 16 will be half days for students. Families are encouraged to visit the district website to view the full calendar.
Jennings Grade 5 students in Ms. Lewin and Ms. Rooney’s classes crafted special letters for future generations to be included in a town time capsule in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The capsule will be opened in 2076.
Fairfield Ludlowe’s Our Turn to Serve Club is making a real impact, volunteering locally and raising funds for Team Red, White & Blue to support our nation’s veterans. Proud of their commitment to service and thankful for advisor Joanna Dewey’s leadership.
Advancing Dyslexia Support in Fairfield Public Schools
Last month, the Connecticut State Department of Education recognized women who have made a meaningful impact in dyslexia, including Dr. Margie Gillis, whose work has positively influenced Fairfield Public Schools.
Dr. Gillis and her team at Literacy How have partnered with our educators, specialists, school leaders, and special education teams to establish on-site Literacy Academies. These academies support students with significant reading and writing disabilities while providing educators with intensive, evidence-based training and ongoing weekly coaching.
Over the past two years, Dr. Gillis and Literacy Coach Dr. Christine Cohen have collaborated with our special education department to develop a hands-on practicum, leading to more staff pursuing Structured Literacy Dyslexia Intervention certification and strengthening support for students’ reading progress.
We are grateful for this continued partnership and its lasting impact on our students.
Rhythm, Movement, & Meaning: RLMS Students Celebrate African Culture
Roger Ludlowe Middle School seventh grade Social Studies students wrapped up their Africa unit with a memorable cultural experience. Students heard from human rights activist John Dau, explored African dance, and worked with percussionist Tony Vacca to learn traditional rhythms through hands-on instrument activities. A meaningful way to bring history and culture to life!
Executive Function Workshop Series: Supporting Students Through Key Transitions
In May, Executive Function Coach Hannah Choi will present a three-part series at the Fairfield Public Library focused on helping families support students through middle school, high school, and college transitions. Each session offers practical strategies to build organization, time management, planning, emotional regulation, and independence.
Get Ready for Middle School
Tuesday, May 5, 6:30–7:30 pm
Supports organization, confidence, and independence as students adjust to new routines and expectations.
Register: https://fplct.librarymarket.com/event/executive-functioning-teens-155645
Get Ready for High School
Thursday, May 7, 6:30–7:30 pm
Focuses on managing increased responsibility, balancing commitments, and strengthening planning skills.
Register: https://fplct.librarymarket.com/event/executive-functioning-teens-155646
Get Ready for College
Tuesday, May 12, 6:30–7:30 pm
For parents and students, covering skills for independence, self-advocacy, and college readiness.
Register: https://fplct.librarymarket.com/event/executive-functioning-teens-155649
Reminder: Join us for an upcoming parent session featuring speaker Max Stossel, hosted by Fairfield CARES and the Fairfield PTA Council, focused on youth technology and well-being. Max Stossel, award-winning poet, filmmaker, and founder of The Social Awakening, works with young people, parents, and educators to better understand the impact of technology and social media, and how to create healthier digital habits.
Facilities Updates Across the District
While students were on break, important work continued across Fairfield Public Schools!
Crews completed spring clean-up and landscaping, refreshed playground surfaces for safety, and installed new flooring at Fairfield Warde High School. At Fairfield Ludlowe High School, elevator modernization work also resumed. Additional updates include the completion of the Fairfield Warde softball field project, site surveys at the Dwight property for the future elementary school, and the installation of new classroom and safety signage across several buildings.
Thank you to the Operations Department for keeping our schools safe, functional, and welcoming for students, staff, and the community!
Warde students welcomed former Warde alum (2016) and current Channel 12 meteorologist, Radoslaw Przygodzki, as a guest speaker. He shared insights into his career in broadcast journalism and what a typical day looks like as a meteorologist and reporter.
FPS Web Filtering Upgrade Now Complete
We’re excited to share that Fairfield Public Schools has completed an important upgrade to our web filtering system, transitioning to FILTER by Lightspeed Systems. This update strengthens how we protect students online while keeping our overall approach the same. We continue to use a category and policy-based filtering system that blocks broad types of content (such as chat, games, and proxy/anonymizer sites) rather than blocking individual websites one by one.
The upgrade helps keep students safe both at school and on district devices at home, creating a more consistent and secure learning experience. It also strengthens our ability to block new and emerging websites and provides improved controls in platforms like YouTube, helping reduce distractions such as ads, comments, and suggested videos while still supporting instructional use.
We appreciate your continued support as we work to provide a safe, focused, and effective digital learning environment for all students and staff.
Congratulations to Stratfield student Watson Campana for being named a winner of Chris Murphy’s 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest! One of just 15 winners statewide, Watson’s work honors the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Fairfield Warde Wood Show Celebrates 70 Years of Craftsmanship
Fairfield Warde High School invites families and community members to the 30th annual Wood Show on June 6, 2026 in the Warde cafeteria. This year’s event also marks the 70th anniversary of the Woodshop program.
Guests can view impressive student projects entered in a judged competition and take part in a silent auction featuring handcrafted items such as a cornhole set, dining table, decorative pens, and a bench. Proceeds support future woodshop projects and enhancements.
To honor 70 years of the program, alumni are also invited to submit past woodworking pieces for display and judging, with the chance to be recognized for their craftsmanship. Alumni submissions should be delivered to the Warde Woodshop by June 5, 2026. Please contact Luke Allen at LALLEN2@fairfieldschools.org for more information.
Artistic Visions Challenge Winners Announced
Congratulations to the FPS students who participated in this year’s Artistic Visions Challenge. This year’s theme, “America 250,” invited participants to explore creativity through all art forms, including visual arts, writing, music, and performance art.
FPS student winners included:
• Youth First Place: WFC students Yasmin Sanchez and Cici Bledsoe, A Garden of Journeys
• Youth Runner Up: Burr student Tripp Bagley, America Revealed
Fairfield Students Experience the Sounds of Ireland Through Fairfield Foundation For Education Grant
This month, the Fairfield community had a special opportunity thanks to a grant from the Fairfield Foundation for Education.
Nationally recognized Irish musicians and brothers David Doocey and Patrick Doocey spent two days in our schools leading engaging workshops and clinics for both teachers and students. From refining Irish fiddle techniques to enhancing guitar skills, their sessions inspired musicians across our middle and high schools.
The experience wrapped up with a lively performance at Fairfield Woods Middle School, showcasing the talent and traditions of Irish music.
Thank you to the FFE and our visiting artists for creating such a meaningful experience for our students and staff.
Call for Creators: Fairfield K–12 Poetry & Art Contest
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Stratfield Village Association invites FPS students in grades K–12 to participate in the “Pulse of the American Promise” Poetry & Art Contest. Students are encouraged to reflect on values like freedom, community, courage, opportunity, and equality through original poetry (250 words or less) or visual art.
Submissions are grouped by grade bands and are due by June 1, 2026. Each school will select top entries to advance for judging, with winning work displayed at the 5th Annual Lincoln Parkapalooza on September 12. Click here to view the flyer.
Scholarship Opportunities for Students with IEPs or 504 Plans
Exciting news! A new scholarship opportunity is now available for FPS high school seniors with an IEP or 504 plan.
The Sandy-View Scholarship will award $2,500 to one Ludlowe student, one Warde student, and one Walter Fitzgerald Campus student, in addition to the standard SEPTA scholarships ranging from $500–$1,500. Students may choose which scholarship to apply for.
Applications must be submitted by May 8, 2026 to msanzaro@fairfieldschools.org. Be sure to review the application for full details and requirements, including additional materials needed for the Sandy-View Scholarship.
