November 21 2025 District Newsletter
Welcome Frank Magneri, FPS Executive Director of Finance and Business
Fairfield Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Frank Magneri as the new executive director of finance and business, effective December 17, 2025. With a strong background in public administration and public finance, including roles as budget director for the Town of Fairfield and director of the office of policy and management for the City of Bridgeport, Mr. Magneri brings a wealth of financial insight and expertise to the district.
We look forward to welcoming Mr. Magneri to his new role and to the expertise, dedication, and commitment he will bring to support the success of our students and staff.
For additional information click here.
E-Bikes & ER Visits: A Safety Panel for Families
Every week, children are ending up in emergency rooms from e-bike and e-scooter accidents, including broken bones, head injuries, and more. These are not rare accidents. They are happening in our community right now.
In collaboration with Fairfield Safe Streets Alliance, join us for a free panel on Thursday, December 4 at 7 PM at the Fairfield Public Library. Hear from ER doctors, first responders, and local police and fire representatives about responsible riding, essential safety gear, local laws, and battery fire risks.
Don’t miss this chance to protect your children and learn practical tips to keep them safe.
Fairfield Ludlowe Model UN Students Take Top Honors
Congratulations to Fairfield Ludlowe High School’s Model United Nations students. At the Charger MUN conference at the University of New Haven, the team earned the Outstanding Delegation Award for the second year in a row. Several students received individual awards: Best Delegate went to Sydney Gough, Eleanor Kent, Lauren Kennedy, and Nishka Desai. Nishka Desai also earned the Position Paper Award. We are so proud of their hard work, dedication, and representation of Fairfield!
Thanks to a grant from the Fairfield Foundation for Education, Tomlinson Middle School’s Hydroponic Garden is now up and running! Students are getting hands-on experience planting, caring for, and harvesting fresh produce using innovative, soil-free methods. Through this program, they’re learning about science, sustainability, and healthy living.
Newton, the blue and gold macaw, didn’t ruffle any feathers during her visit to Walter Fitzgerald Campus last week as the Beardsley Zoo’s ambassador animal for the education department. Zoo representatives met with students to discuss the many careers available in zoo work and answered questions about everything from caretakers to curators as part of WFC’s ongoing career pathway initiative.
The Sherman community came together in a big way to support families through Operation Hope! Thanks to the generous Sherman Sharks, an incredible amount of Thanksgiving essentials and grocery gift cards were collected!
RLMS Students Take the Stage in Second Annual Lip Sync Battle
Roger Ludlowe Middle School’s auditorium was filled to capacity for the school’s second annual Lip Sync Battle, a lively event organized and run by the RLMS Student Leadership Club. Under the guidance of advisors Mrs. Kilcourse and Ms. Kassay, Student Leadership hosted its primary fundraiser of the year, featuring nine exciting lip sync “battles” where students challenged their teachers in friendly competition. Each matchup was close, but by the end of the evening, the students claimed the overall Lip Sync Battle title. Funds raised will support Student Leadership’s grade-level events and activities throughout the school year.
Attention K-8th Grade Parents: November 29 Open Gym Basketball Clinic
Fairfield Warde Boys Basketball is thrilled to announce a One Day Open Gym experience on Friday, November 29! This is a perfect opportunity for young players to have fun, play with teammates, and learn from the Fairfield Warde team members and coaches.
Register by scanning the QR code on the flyer!
For more information, please email: JHENRY3@FAIRFIELDSCHOOLS.NET
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.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newly elected board members, Jacquelyn Bardenwerper and Kristin O’Neill.
Ms. Bardenwerper is a strong believer in the power of public education, shaped by her family’s history and the opportunities they found in Fairfield’s schools. Her experience, including service with Teach for America, deepened this commitment. As a mother of three, she is dedicated to ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and able to thrive academically.
Ms. O’Neill brings a deep passion for education grounded in her ten years as a Language Arts teacher in Stamford. Grateful for the excellent education her own children are receiving in Fairfield Public Schools, she is committed to maintaining a thoughtful, rigorous curriculum and promoting the safety and success of every student.
We look forward to the valuable experience and perspectives Ms. Bardenwerper and Ms. O’Neill will bring to the Board and to our ongoing work as a district!
Schedule Update: February 3 School Closure
Due to the special election for First Selectman on Tuesday, February 3, all Fairfield Public Schools will be closed that day.
To accommodate this change:
*Tuesday, January 13 will now be a full day of school (previously a half day).
*Tuesday, May 12 will also be a full day of school (previously a half day).
Please note that, unless there are weather-related closures, the last day of school will remain Thursday, June 11.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we adjust the schedule to support the special election. Click here to view the updated calendar.
Alumna Spotlight: Brigitte Dale Returns to Share The Good Daughters
Dale credited her inspiration for the book to what she learned in FPS classrooms, made even more meaningful with several of her former teachers in attendance.
Fairfield alumna Brigitte Dale, a graduate of Dwight, Tomlinson, and FLHS (Class of 2014), returned to the community this week for an engaging author talk at the Fairfield Public Library, moderated by FPS Director of Social Studies and Student-Centered Learning, Colleen Sousa.
Dale, an accomplished author, editor, and historian, holds a degree from Brown University and a master’s in women’s history from Yale. Dale introduced her debut novel, The Good Daughters, a moving, vivid story following three suffragettes in London whose fight for equality tests their resolve and the bonds of their friendship.
Get To Know Your SRO
FPS is pleased to partner with the Fairfield Police Department to ensure a safe environment for all. Our SROs play an integral role in our school communities, including placing an emphasis on important topics such as peer pressure, bullying, internet safety and stress through the SHAPE Program. Click below to learn more about Fairfield Warde SRO Chanse Wilkie.
A Day Of Food, Fun, And Culture: McKinley’s World’s Fair
McKinley's World’s Fair brought community together for a vibrant celebration of cultures from around the globe! Families enjoyed exploring country displays, collecting passport stamps, tasting international foods, and watching performances that showcased music, dance, and storytelling from around the world.
Thank you to the McKinley PTA, staff, students, and families for making this beloved tradition such a joyful success.
We are proud to share that Sherman, Dwight, and Holland Hill Elementary Schools have been recognized in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of Connecticut elementary schools. Sherman earned an impressive 2nd place, Dwight secured 5th place, and Holland Hill ranked 23rd. Congratulations to our students, staff, and families for helping make these achievements possible!
Warde Senior Athena Chrysadakis (pictured on left) was the sole student speaker at Voices of Hope’s “Evening of Hope” gala, sharing reflections inspired by her Holocaust curriculum and her meeting with survivor Andy Sarkany (pictured in the middle). Warde Teacher Lauren Moyer attended the event to support her student (pictured on right). Athena's moving speech touched the audience and beautifully represented our community.
Fairfield’s Thanksgiving Day Football Game: Two Teams, One Community
Fairfield’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Football Game is just a few days away!
Advance ticket purchase is required, so be sure to get yours early. This beloved tradition is a wonderful way to come together as a community, cheer on our football players from both high schools, and kick off the holiday with some fun!
***Bring non-perishables to help stock Operation Hope’s Food Pantry! Two teams…one community. Thanks to our generous community for feeding our neighbors in need!***
Stratfield students in action! The Student Council collected donations to help stock Operation Hope’s pantry. Thank you to all of the staff and families for their dedication to supporting our community.
New Way to View Assessments in Infinite Campus
In the past, most standardized assessment results were shared through the Infinite Campus Backpack. Starting this year, several courses will now report common assessments through the Assessment Portal or Gradebook in Infinite Campus.
What are common assessments?
These are end-of-unit tests given to all students in a course to measure how well they’ve learned the content and skills for that unit. For example, at the end of an Algebra I unit, all students take the same assessment.
Where to find scores:
- Elementary (K–5): Scores will be posted in the Assessment Portal.
- Middle & High School: Scores will be posted in the Gradebook. You may see both the assessment score and a version that counts toward the overall grade. This helps keep grading consistent and balanced across all courses. The assessment score in the common assessment column does not count toward the student’s grade and is used only for reporting purposes.
Assessments began appearing in Infinite Campus around mid-to-late October as the first units wrapped up. Each year, more courses will be added. If you have questions about your child’s progress, please contact their teacher.
