Next Steps in the 2026–2027 School Budget Process
Budget deliberations remain underway. The Superintendent presented the proposed budget in the next round of budget deliberations to the Board of Finance on Thursday, March 12. The budget had previously been reduced by $2 million by the First Selectwoman and was subsequently approved by the Board of Selectmen with that reduction in place.
During his presentation, the Superintendent noted that the district can absorb approximately $1.155 million of the reduction through savings related to pensions, health insurance, and a pre-purchase of technology. Accordingly, the district is seeking restoration of about $844K.
The Board of Finance is scheduled to hold a public budget comment session on March 28, 2026, and vote on the budget on March 31, 2026. Following that vote, the RTM will begin its budget deliberations in April, with a final vote anticipated on the first Monday in May.
Second graders at Osborn Hill Elementary School are getting creative with music. Using manipulatives, they create, write, and perform their own rhythmic compositions building both musical and problem solving skills.
Spring Assessments
Fairfield Public Schools will join students across the United States in the Smarter Balanced (SBA) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Assessments this spring. Students in grades 3-8 will participate in the SBA in English language arts and mathematics. The State’s testing window will be open from March 23 through May 29 with Fairfield students beginning testing in April. Your school will communicate its specific testing schedule in the near future.
In addition to the SBA, students in grades 5, 8, and 11 will also participate in the NGSS during the same dates (Grade 11 NGSS opened on February 2 and goes through May 29). These assessments are untimed, adaptive, and computer administered. Students may spend up to five hours completing both assessments over multiple days. Each session will vary in length based on the assessment and schedule, and students may complete each assessment at varying intervals and pace. Federal and state law requires participation in these assessments. Both assessments adhere to federal and state privacy laws, including but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Smarter Balanced Assessment Information
Next Generation Science Standards Assessment
Please contact your child's principal directly with questions.
FPS Climate Survey, March 23 to April 10
FPS will once again be conducting a Climate Survey for students, staff, and families. This survey helps us understand what is going well in our schools and identify ways to make our learning community even stronger. The survey will be open from Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 10, 2026. The link will be shared on March 23.
Students in Grades 3–12 will have the opportunity to complete the survey during the school day while the survey is open. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please email your school to let them know prior to March 23.
Thank you for your support!
Dwight Elementary School third grade teacher Joan Robb recently published her book My Town. The book celebrates Fairfield’s history, landmarks, and community spirit, an extension of her passion for education and storytelling. Congratulations to Ms. Robb on this exciting accomplishment!
Ludlowe Students Shine At Global Model UN Conference
Fairfield Ludlowe High School’s Model UN team earned the Best Medium Delegation Award at the Global Citizens Model United Nations Conference in New York City, marking their second consecutive year receiving this honor. Collaborating with students from around the world, Ludlowe delegates worked diligently to develop thoughtful, strategic resolutions addressing today’s most pressing global issues.
Congratulations to all on this outstanding achievement!
District Data Dashboard – Now Live!
We’re excited to share a new resource with you! As part of our commitment to providing a high-quality education and making thoughtful, data-informed decisions, Fairfield Public Schools has launched a new district data dashboard, now available on our website.
The dashboard gives families and community members an easy way to explore information about enrollment, attendance, graduation rates, AP courses, and more across all school levels. This information reflects districtwide data and does not include individual student information. Please note: If the student count is fewer than 20, the data is suppressed to protect student confidentiality.
We invite you to take a look and learn more about our schools: https://fpsct.net/district-data
Active Competitions For K-12 Fairfield Students
FPS encourages our K-12 students to take advantage of the many opportunities to showcase their talents—a great way to build confidence and stand out among their peers. There are many active competitions and contests in essay writing, computing, podcasting, poetry, and art! To learn more, visit https://facebook.com/brightandgiftedct
Upcoming Deadlines:
ASAP Writing Competition (deadline: March 22nd)
eeSmarts Energy Efficiency Contest (deadline: March 27th)
Computing Challenge (deadline: March 31)
Climate Action Poster Contest (deadline: April 1st)
New York Times Opinion Writing Contest (deadline: April 8th)
National Baseball Poetry Contest (deadline: April 17th)
New York Times Podcasting Contest (deadline: May 13th)
Grades 6-12 - Love Your Liver Challenge
The Love Your Liver Youth Creative Challenge gives students an opportunity to participate in Liver Health Day. Students from grades 6-12 can choose to submit an essay, a visual art piece, poetry, or a song with the theme of how they can make healthy choices to protect their liver. Submissions must be made through the form by April 5.
Looking Ahead: Elementary Schedule Information
During the March 10 Board of Education meeting, a presentation on the elementary school schedule highlighted the district’s core commitments to students and staff: creating a consistent schedule, setting realistic expectations, and ensuring dedicated time for both core academics and special area classes.
The presentation was developed by a committee that met over the fall and winter to review and refine the schedule. The committee examined both Fairfield’s current schedule and those of other districts to determine what would work best for our schools, taking into account curriculum, number of schools, and contractual requirements. Student achievement was also a central focus, ensuring that our youngest learners have a strong foundation to support their growth as skills and content become more rigorous throughout their K–12 experience.
Changes like this can naturally raise questions, and keeping families informed throughout the process remains a priority. Therefore, we have developed an FAQ to help provide accurate information for families. Click here for more information.
Introducing The New Board Of Education Policy Search Tool
The Board of Education Policy page has been redesigned to make finding what you need faster and easier than ever. Visit https://www.fairfieldschools.org/board-of-education/policy to explore the new experience.
Here's what's new:
- Browse by Section – All policies are organized into collapsible sections. Simply click any section header to expand it and view the policies inside.
- Instant Search – Type any keyword, topic, or policy code into the search bar to find matching policies across the entire policy library in seconds.
- Refine Your Results – After searching, a filters panel appears so you can narrow results by section, date range, or adjust how they're sorted.
- Filter by Section – Focus your results on a specific policy group, such as 5000 – Students or 8000 – Buildings and Sites.
- Filter by Date Revised – Set a start and end date to view only policies updated within a specific time period.
Need help? Click the Help button next to the search title at any time to revisit the guide.
Join Us! FPS Town Hall Meeting - March 24
Join the Fairfield Board of Education for a Town Hall on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 PM in the Central Office Board Room (501 Kings Highway). Parents and guardians are invited to ask questions and discuss facilities, finances, and district programs.
The Board will vote on the 2026 graduation date and other routine business prior to the Town Hall.
RLMS 6th grade band students visited Western Connecticut State University for a special clinic and performance in the Veronica Hagman Concert Hall. Under the guidance of Dr. Matthew Doiron, students received valuable feedback as they prepare for their Spring Concert. The trip was led by Ms. Fjoralba Mukollari and supported by Ms. Bilotto.
Early Childhood Center (ECC) registration for the 2026-27 school year is now open! ECC offers a full day Pre-K program for 4-year-old children at Warde, Stratfield and Holland Hill. Half day options are also available for 3’s and 4’s. Visit the Registration Page on the FPS Website for more information.
Big Win On The Lanes For Warde Student
Warde High School student Abigail Copperthite was recently awarded the 2026 Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship from United States Bowling Congress. The national scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding youth bowlers, and Abigail is one of only five students across the country selected to receive this honor. Congratulations to Abigail for this outstanding achievement!
We’re excited to welcome our newest learners to Fairfield Public Schools! Kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now OPEN.
The Fairfield CARES Youth Committee is a dynamic group within the CARES Coalition that empowers students to lead meaningful change in their community. With the support of advisors, members identify issues that matter most to young people and take on clear leadership roles.
The committee leads public awareness initiatives, develops youth volunteer programs, supports social change campaigns, provides input on Coalition efforts, and represents Fairfield CARES at community events.
Warde Students Shine At Connecticut DECA Competition
Congratulations to the Warde DECA students who recently won the Connecticut DECA State Competition, demonstrating outstanding business knowledge, professionalism, and leadership. Click here to view the winners, categories, and additional information.
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.
