June 12, 2026 District Newsletter
Reflections On A Successful School Year
Dear FPS Community,
As the final bells ring and we officially bring the 2025–2026 school year to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we have shared and extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. This year has been defined by growth, resilience, and remarkable achievement. Walking through our hallways and visiting our classrooms, I have been inspired by the energy, curiosity, and determination of our students. From academic milestones and creative arts achievements to athletic successes, our students have shown what it means to strive for excellence.
To our incredible teachers, administrators, and staff: Thank you for your dedication, passion, and tireless efforts. You do not just teach; you provide safe, supportive, and inspiring environments where our students can thrive. The success of this district is a direct result of your hard work and commitment to our mission.
To our families: Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and collaboration. Education is a shared journey, and your involvement is vital to our schools. We are grateful for your support and the trust you place in us every day to care for and educate your children.
To the Class of 2026: Congratulations! As you turn the page to your next chapter, remember the lessons learned, the friendships made, and the community that will always be cheering you on. You leave a lasting legacy at FPS, and we cannot wait to see how you change the world.
As we begin the summer vacation, I hope you all find time to rest, recharge, and enjoy special moments with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the fall, refreshed, and ready for another year.
Thank you for making this school year so memorable. Have a safe, healthy, and wonderful summer!
Michael J. Testani
Superintendent of Schools
Tomlinson Middle School students partnered with mosaic artist Beth Klingher and art teacher Dr. Meredith Kennedy to create a stunning 35-foot mosaic mural, Learning Travels. Designed and installed by students over multiple years, the project celebrates creativity, collaboration, and the learning journey of the Tomlinson community.
Summer Reading - Dive Into Adventure!
Summer is the perfect time for students to read what they love while continuing to practice skills they learned during the school year to prevent the summer slide.
Elementary: Schools will be posting summer learning Padlets on school websites with reading information, helpful enrichment links, information about the Fairfield Public Library’s Children's Summer Reading Program, events, activities, and more!
Middle School: Students should read at least two books during the summer and should be prepared to talk about the books and complete an in-class activity related to the books. Students can use stickies, or jot down quotes, page numbers and thoughts. See the Summer Reading link for more details. This information can also be found on your school’s website.
Fairfield Public Library’s Teen Summer Reading Challenge is available for students entering grades 6-12 in the fall. Learn more about the Summer Challenge here!
High School: Students are required to read at least one book this summer and will have the opportunity to write or talk about the book(s) they read when school begins in the fall.
Grade 9 Summer Reading Information (both schools)
Grades 10-12:
Warde High School
Ludlowe High School
All students can also join others in the State’s summer reading program Connecticut Reads. Information is available here.
Congratulations to RLMS Grade 6 student Thea Morgan, who recently published Wanderlust, a fantasy novel about a young girl who discovers a magical gift at boarding school. Thea recently visited the RLMS Library to share her journey as a young author with students and staff.
Fairfield Public Library Summer Challenge 2026: June 20 - August 15, 2026
Dig into dinosaur adventures or plant the seeds of something new as you discover your next favorite book. Explore fossils, gardens, and everything in between. Log your reading on Beanstack to unearth great prizes along the way!
Read books, write book reviews, attend events, and complete bonus activities to earn points toward your 1,000-point summer reading goal. Use Beanstack to log your progress and earn badges that unlock entries for the Grand Prizes.
Adults are encouraged to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge as well! Pick up a great book, model the joy of reading, and share the experience with your children this summer.
Register now and be ready for the start of FPL's Summer Challenge on June 20!
Officer Nick Ardizzone and his K9 Bolt joined Dwight Grade 5 students for their end-of-year SHAPE graduation celebration! Students enjoyed watching Bolt demonstrate the skills he uses to assist in emergency situations, along with a few impressive tricks. He even stole the show with a leap into Officer Ardizzone’s arms! The SHAPE program helps students make safe, healthy choices and understand how their decisions impact their own well-being and the school community around them.
Keep Math Skills Shining All Summer Long
Keep your math skills shining this summer with mathematical thinking and family fun! When we think of math, there are so many additional ways to engage students in math: math talks, mathematical thinking, games, and activities. Help build strong, confident mathematicians! Looking for ideas for summer math fun? Click here. You can also visit the Fairfield Public Library for books on math!
Visit the FPS website to view math packets for each grade level. This year, we're providing additional ways to support our mathematicians with Summer Math for Elementary School students. Students can color in a log and submit to their teacher when they return to school!
Superintendent and CABE Awards Honor Outstanding Students
The Superintendent and CABE Awards were held last week, recognizing students from each school for their academic success, leadership, and community involvement. Each honoree received an award and was celebrated with personalized accolades highlighting their achievements. Congratulations to these exceptional students! Click here to view the list of honorees.
The Burr Roots & Shoots Trashion Show took place with great fanfare and flair! Students designed and modeled creative ensembles made from recycled materials, proudly walking the runway to showcase their imaginative and eco-friendly creations. Thanks to all of the volunteers who made this wonderful event possible!
Fairfield Warde and Fairfield Ludlowe High School Fall Sports Registration for 2026-27 Now Open
We are excited to announce that registration for Fall 2026 athletics is now open. The first official day of tryouts for most sports will be August 24, 2026. Sport-specific tryout information will be posted on each school’s athletic website as the date approaches.
To help families prepare for the upcoming season, we encourage all parents/guardians and student-athletes to first view the “Athletic Program Overview” video. In addition, the athletic directors at both schools have developed a “Student-Athlete Playbook” video, which is designed to be reviewed together by students and families prior to completing the registration process. These resources provide important information regarding expectations, procedures, and program structure for the upcoming year.
🔗 Warde Athletics
🔗 Ludlowe Athletics
Click here for additional information.
Bringing Statewide Expertise Back to Fairfield
Congratulations to McKinley Language Arts Specialist Shannon Nilan on completing a yearlong Curriculum Fellowship with the Connecticut State Department of Education as Fairfield Public Schools’ representative. Throughout the fellowship, Shannon collaborated with educators across the state, deepened her expertise in curriculum design and instructional leadership, and developed resources to support district initiatives.
We are grateful for her dedication and for bringing valuable knowledge and tools back to Fairfield. Pictured, Shannon receives her certificate of completion from Irene Parisi, Chief Academic Officer, at the CSDE offices in Hartford.
Improving Road Safety in Fairfield: Family Input Needed
The Town of Fairfield is currently working with a consultant team to develop a Safety Action Plan to improve road safety throughout the community. When complete, the Plan will outline a 10-year strategy to enhance safety with the ambitious goal of eliminating traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Community input, especially from parents of school-aged children and young adult drivers, is essential to this effort along with transportation and traffic enforcement data. Please take a moment to complete the survey to help us better understand your concerns, particularly around schools, parks, and the routes your family uses to travel to work, school, and activities, whether by car, bicycle, or on foot.
Holland Hill Elementary School earned its No Place for Hate designation once again, a collaborative effort between students and staff focused on inclusion, respect, and belonging. Congratulations to the entire Holland Hill community for this meaningful achievement!
