May 15, 2026 District Newsletter
Mental Health Awareness Month: Prioritizing Well Being, Calm, And Connection
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to prioritize our well-being in a world that can often feel overwhelming. Let’s take intentional steps to care for ourselves and one another, and make space for calm, joy, and connection.
Fairfield Students Shine in SHU Teen Visions Art Competition
Fairfield Public Schools is proud to celebrate five outstanding high school artists whose creativity and talent were recognized in the 2026 SHU Teen Visions Competition. From award-winning paintings to captivating photography and mixed media pieces, Fairfield Warde and Fairfield Ludlowe students earned top honors among talented young artists from across the region. Their work reflects the imagination, dedication, and artistic excellence thriving in our schools, and we congratulate each student on this impressive achievement.
SHU Teen Visions Honorees
Fairfield Warde
- Isabel Mariano, My Alter Ego — Best in Show
- Jayden Zhang, A Garden of One — First Place, Painting
Fairfield Ludlowe
- Olivia Wellen, Tess — First Place, Photography/Mixed Media
- Mio Nomoto, Golden Boy — Photography/Mixed Media Honoree
- Alessia Torres, Pulling Away — Second Place, Painting
Burr Book Buddies found the perfect cozy spot to share their favorite stories and enjoy some reading time together!
Congratulations to FWHS Science Teacher Ms. Sarah Janisch on receiving a Fund for Teachers fellowship grant. This summer, she will travel to Hawaii to study plant based compounds and bring real world chemistry into the classroom, helping students explore connections between nutrition, wellness, disease management, and science through hands on learning.
We are proud to celebrate our FPS 5th grade inventors who participated in Invention Convention, creating innovative solutions to real world problems and presenting to community judges. Their projects earned recognition at the state competition at UConn, where they performed exceptionally well. They were also honored at a recent Board of Education meeting.
Fairfield CARES Is Hiring
Fairfield CARES is seeking an Assistant to the Project Director to support youth substance use prevention efforts across the community. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about public health, social services, youth engagement, and community outreach. The role includes supporting coalition initiatives, coordinating meetings and trainings, assisting with social media and communications, and working closely with schools and community partners to make a positive impact in Fairfield. Join us in helping build a healthier, safer community for our youth!
RLMS 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.
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.
McKinley staff including administrators, teachers, the school nurse and custodian came together to cheer on students as they kicked off SBA testing helping set a positive and supportive tone for the day.
Fourth grade student Pete Manwaring, a mentee in the Holland Hill–Wakeman Mentoring Program, was recognized for his artwork at the Wakeman Hand in Hand Awards at the Southport Campus this past April. In a full-circle moment, his mentor, Grant Antrobus, a Holland Hill alum, was also honored at the event as Mentor of the Year.
Fairfield educators Julie Heller, ELA Program Director, and Anne Joyce, Workshop Teacher, recently presented “Building Visibility for Gifted Programs” to gifted coordinators and administrators from across Connecticut at the University of Connecticut Storrs campus.
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.
FPS Annual Art Show Reception at Pequot Library
The annual FPS Art Show Reception will take place on May 27 from 5–8 p.m. at Pequot Library. This is a great opportunity to support the many talented student artists in our district while enjoying an evening of creativity, community, and fun, including food trucks on-site. We hope to see everyone there!
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. Winning work will be displayed at the 5th Annual Lincoln Parkapalooza on September 12. Click here to view the flyer.
Join Fairfield Community Services for a creative and uplifting afternoon on May 17! Open to students in Grades 4–12 and their parents/guardians, this event will feature hands-on activities including arts, crafts, and other opportunities to relax, recharge, and express creativity. Families will also have the chance to connect with local vendors and community organizations supporting important mental health and wellness initiatives throughout the community. We hope you can join us for this fun and meaningful event!
Calling All High School Students!
Join us for Lights, Lyrics & Laughs on Friday, June 5, 6:30–9:00 PM at the Bigelow Center (100 Mona Terrace). This open mic night is your chance to showcase your talent, singing, poetry, comedy, or anything creative. Interested performers can email gsalce@fairfieldct.org with your name, grade, performance type, and a short video or audio sample.
Not performing? Come support your peers and enjoy an evening of great entertainment and community. The fun continues after the show with FREE activities including mechanical bull rides, mini golf, and a pizza food truck.
Updated Student Calendar: 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.
