January 23, 2026 District Newsletter
Fairfield Public Schools 2026–2027 Calendar
The FPS 2026–2027 school year calendar has been approved and is now available on the FPS Calendar Page. Please take a moment to review it so you can plan ahead for the upcoming year.
2026-2027 FPS Open House Calendar
School Open Houses are a great opportunity for families to meet teachers and staff, explore programs, and get excited about the year ahead. The 2026–27 Open House Calendar is now available. Click here to find dates, times, and details for each school. We look forward to welcoming you!
Mill Hill’s Town meeting honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a schoolwide “Be the Light” Luminaries project, connecting No Place for Hate and Words Matter initiatives. Students also unveiled a new monthly Hopeful banner and a unified mural celebrating empathy, respect, and shared values across the school community.
Sherman Elementary honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a meaningful day of service. Students collaborated on projects such as placemats for Meals on Wheels, Valentine’s cards for nursing homes, blankets for hospitalized children, and painted kindness rocks for the community with the support of dedicated staff and PTA volunteers.
Fairfield Culinary Students Serve Up Community Care
Fairfield’s high school Culinary Arts students turned learning into service through a districtwide initiative supporting Operation Hope. Working collaboratively, students planned, prepared, and packaged food, putting their culinary skills to work while giving back. This opportunity provided students with experiential learning, career and technical lessons, and service beyond the classroom.
We’re proud of Warde and Ludlowe students for making community service their signature dish!
Easier Access to Board of Education Policies
We’re excited to announce that the FPS Board of Education Policy page has a fresh, improved look with enhanced search functionality! In addition to browsing policies by section, you can now search by topic, keyword, or policy code to quickly find the information you need. Check out the updated page and see how easy it is to navigate: FPS Board of Education Policies.
Fairfield Warde High School hosted a Connecticut Debate Association tournament where nearly 200 high school students competed. In the Novice division, Fairfield Warde students Sarah Terrell won first place and Aarav Sahu placed second. Both students also qualified for the CDA State Tournament in March.
New Facebook Page Spotlight: Enrichment Opportunities
We’re excited to share the launch of a new Facebook page dedicated to enrichment opportunities! This page brings together a wide range of ways for students to explore and grow their individual passions and unique talents, from writing and playwriting, to art competitions, podcasting, and coding challenges. Families are encouraged to follow along to discover creative, academic, and enrichment opportunities that inspire curiosity, innovation, and deeper learning.
Fairfield Arts Commission Artistic Visions Challenge for Students and Families
The Fairfield Arts Commission invites student and community artists to participate in its second annual Artistic Visions Challenge, a town wide juried art competition celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
This year's competition is open to all student (ages 10-19) and adult (ages 20+) artists and aspiring artists, that either reside, work or attend school in Fairfield. There will be a prize of $1,000 for first place winners in each category.
Families and students are encouraged to attend a free open house and brainstorming event on Thursday, February 5, from 6 to 8 pm at the Fairfield Museum and History Center. Register here.
Registration for the Challenge is due by February 11, and final submissions are due March 14, 2026.
The Fairfield Police Department is proud to host meaningful community events focused on supporting our youth and families.
The Fairfield Parent’s Forum creates a supportive space for parents to learn practical tools for navigating tough conversations, strengthening family relationships, and building resilience at home.
We invite families, teens, and community members to join us as we work together to build safer, stronger, and more connected Fairfield.
Behind The Grades: Supporting Teens Through Academic Challenges
Are your teen’s grades suddenly slipping? This informative talk for parents and guardians will explore how mental health, stressful experiences, and executive functioning can contribute to a sudden drop in academic performance. Licensed Clinical Social Worker Spencer McCauley will discuss common factors affecting teens, how to recognize warning signs, and what they may mean. You’ll also learn practical strategies to help support your child’s success.
We’re excited to welcome our newest learners to Fairfield Public Schools! Kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now OPEN.
Bus Transportation Update
To responsibly manage our transportation budget, Fairfield Public Schools will begin consolidating underused bus routes starting Monday, February 2. Some bus stop locations and pick-up/drop-off times may change, and affected families will be notified directly.
Families who are able to provide their own transportation may choose to voluntarily opt out of bus service by completing the waiver form shared recently in ParentSquare. This is optional and may be canceled at any time with two weeks’ notice.
McKinley’s 5th grade chorus delighted the school with a joyful, winter themed performance that showcased their hard work and talent.
FPS High School Artists Recognized By The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards
Congratulations to our Fairfield Public Schools high school artists!
Students were recognized by the Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards for outstanding work in photography, painting, drawing, mixed media, and digital art, one of the most prestigious juried art competitions in the state.
Special recognition goes to Gold Key winners Daniel Flynn, Mio Nomoto, Molly Sunshine, and Olivia Wellen. Liam Donovan also earned a Silver Key and the prestigious Hartford Art Scholarship for his portfolio.
Winning artwork will be featured in the CT Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition at the Silpe Gallery at the Hartford Art School from January 12–30. National winners will be announced in April.
Holland Hill students cast a wide net during their PE fishing unit! The rules were simple: have fun, catch and release only, and never catch more fish than your teacher!
FPS High School Badminton Tournament Tradition Continues
Community In Action At Fridgeport
Dwight and Holland Hill communities teamed up to give back at Fridgeport in Bridgeport. Fridgeport Director Kristina welcomed the group with enthusiasm as PTA members Allison Hamilton and Deena Kuruvilla, along with FPS Language Arts Specialist Rebecca Feola and 5th graders packed 125+ food bags in just 37 minutes! The community also surpassed its goal by collecting 1,007 items for families in need.
Registration Office: New Address Reminder
A friendly reminder that the district requires families to notify the Registration Office at 203-255-8242 when there has been an address change.
Visit our website for more information.
Reminder: Keeping Our Schools Safe with the Raptor Safe App
To continue prioritizing the safety of our students and staff, Fairfield Public Schools utilizes a visitor management system called the Raptor Safe App. This system helps us better monitor who is entering our buildings each day and ensure a safe environment for all.
Click here for a video from the FPS School Safety Division detailing what to expect when visiting a school and Central Office.
What Visitors Need to Know:
- Check-In Process: All visitors will check in using the iPad at the school’s main entrance. Central Office visitors will also use this system.
- Visitor Badge: Once the process is complete, you will be provided a visitor badge. All visitors must wear this badge while in the building.
- Digital Passport: Parents and guardians are encouraged to create a digital “Passport” on their smartphones, which makes the check-in and check-out process quicker and easier. Click here for additional information. No invitation code is required.
- Getting Started: The Raptor Safe App is available to all visitors across the district. Click here for an FAQ with additional information.
FPS Green Team Tips - Waste Less Food
Parents play a critical role in teen driver safety. Setting clear rules, modeling safe driving behavior, and reinforcing seat belt use can help teens develop lifelong safe driving habits. Conversations today can help prevent serious crashes tomorrow.
