In the Middle of Fairfield
FAMS - September 2025
I want to extend a huge thank you to all of our students, parents, and staff for an incredible start to the new school year. The energy and enthusiasm in our classrooms and hallways have been amazing.
It has been wonderful to see our students embracing their learning and reconnecting with friends. Your positive attitudes and dedication are what make Fairfield Area Middle School such a special place.
As we move forward, I am excited about all the great things we will accomplish together. Our teachers have planned engaging lessons, and we will have many exciting events this year. We have also begun our screening and benchmark testing to help with our WIN and Knight Time groupings.
Thank you again for a fantastic beginning to the year. I look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful and memorable school year for everyone.
Mr. Hoffacker
🎉 PBIS Kickoff at Fairfield Area Middle School!
The PBIS Team recently hosted a kickoff assembly to encourage our Fairfield Area Middle School students to be responsible, respectful, and ready to learn. Each year, our PBIS initiative provides students with exciting opportunities—such as field trips, special events, and sweet treats—to celebrate positive behaviors.
Thanks to our students’ commitment to PBIS expectations, we have seen a consistent decrease in disciplinary issues across all areas of the school, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms, buses, and the cafeteria.
Through our Principal’s Challenge—which focuses on no unexcused absences, completed schoolwork, and no disciplinary referrals—we have been able to increase student attendance, reduce office referrals, and boost homework completion.
In addition, our Knight of the Month program highlights students who demonstrate exemplary behavior and serve as role models for their peers.
We are incredibly proud of our students’ efforts and look forward to another successful year of positive behavior and learning!
📢 From Mrs. Bechtel Classroom
Students are learning how to navigate around the school using their new school year schedule. Students are also getting to know each other and getting to know their new teacher. We are all off to a great start! - Mrs.Bechtel
8th Grade ELA
We have officially started what looks to be a spectacular school year. In English Language Arts class we have not only organized our materials, but students have also completed an introductory writing activity entitled “Who I Am,” where they introduce themselves through their written word. After taking a “walk-through” of our Into Literature textbook to explore what might pique students’ interests, we have begun to read the novel Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman, a novel exploring the impact of a community garden on the diverse residents of a Cleveland neighborhood. This first novel project of the year will be completed as a class and will provide a model for students to utilize for their independent novel projects throughout the year. We will then begin Unit 1: Gadgets & Glitches, which asks the essential question: Does technology improve or control our lives? The readings in this unit will help students explore the impact of technology on the human experience and society as well as enable them to critically analyze its effects on their own lives.
- Mrs. Burke
8th Grade Science
Science class has kicked off with a bang! We have introduced Sir Issac Newton and his laws of motion. Using that background information, we have started learning about force, speed, and mass, and how they relate to phenomena in our everyday lives. This week we were able to complete our first lab which dealt with speed and force and how it creates waves in water. This was then used to discuss wind and water turbines and how they generate electricity. By using the scientific method of observation, experimentation, and analysis, we will be able to develop a deeper understanding of the world around us. Here is to a great year!
-Mr. Rodgers
8th Grade Math/Algebra
It has been amazing to see our students back in the classroom and ready to learn. We have begun our review of math concepts, including evaluating expressions, solving equations, fractions, and more. This foundational work is crucial as we build towards more complex topics later in the year. It was nice to meet those of you who came to our Back to School Night! I look forward to working together throughout this year to ensure the success of our students.
-Miss Yealy
7th Grade ELA
Students are learning how to utilize AI as a tool for clarity in science class. It isn’t to “do your work for you”; it will help you think and understand concepts and ideas! -Mrs. Ferguson
In our ELA classes, students are exploring a new unit that asks the essential question, “What helps people rise up to face difficulties?” This unit is designed to help students discover the different ways people show courage, resilience, and compassion. Students are reading a variety of texts, including the suspenseful story Rogue Wave by Theodore Taylor, classic myths like The Flight of Icarus by Sally Benson, and modern news stories such as A Police Stop Changed This Teenager’s Life by Amy B. Wang. These texts are helping students make connections between literature and the real world, encouraging them to think critically about how individuals can overcome challenges and make a positive impact. – Mrs. Dusenberry
6th Grade has been getting to know one another, and working to establish a culture of positive interactions that is supportive for all students. We share ideas of what positive behavior does and does not look like as we discuss our rules, procedures, and expectations in all settings and classrooms. We have focused on making sure everyone is comfortable and understands our beginning of the year common goals.
We have worked to establish a growth mindset which is a component of Fairfield’s Profile of a Graduate. Students have been working hard to get back into the school vibe, with activities focused on how we can work and succeed at difficult or non-preferred challenges by tapping into a growth mindset. We have discussed strategies such as utilizing music, breaks, asking for help, and critical thinking techniques.
In math we will explore integer and rational number concepts as they occur in daily life. We will learn different strategies to help us work through difficult problems, hoping to find problem solving strategies that work best for our thinking. We will continue to collaborate on projects that prepare us for graduation and beyond.
To kick off the new year in ELA, students were given an assignment that helped motivate them to get excited about reading and writing! They took pictures of their pets “reading” and brought them in to hang up in our classroom. They have begun working on their quarterly book report where they get to choose which type of project they create to go along with it. One of the options includes creating a TV Commercial for your book. The students are excited to use the new library and one button studio to help create their projects! Check out one of our student pet entries below!
In Social Studies, students are setting sail on their voyage through the ancient world, and our first “stop” is ancient Egypt. This week, students have enjoyed using their bodies to build a human map of ancient Egypt as a creative spin on learning about the landscape of ancient Egypt, Kush, and Canaan. Next week, students will board a makeshift felucca boat in our classroom to “travel” to four interactive tourist destinations and discover the major contributions of four of Egypt’s most notable pharaohs.
Fifth Grade Update
We’ve had a wonderful start to fifth grade! Students have been getting to know each other while learning the routines of middle school, and now we are in full swing with academics in each class.
Math: We are reviewing place value and exponents. Homework has now begun, so please be on the lookout for assignments.
ELA: Students are expected to read each night to prepare for upcoming book talks. We are also reviewing writing skills in preparation for our letter essays.
Knight Time: We have been focusing on benchmark testing.
WIN Classes: Students are learning about the Profile of a Graduate. Ask your child to share the six characteristics we’ve been discussing!
Please remember to check your child’s agenda each week for messages and homework, and sign their agenda over the weekend.
Fairfield Middle School students are off to a great start to the year! As the school counselor, I’m here to help students who may need support with things like building friendships, resolving conflicts, managing stress, setting goals, and staying organized. I can also help connect families with community resources for student mental health. We will be continuing our journey with the SmartFutures program, helping students identify future career goals. Our Second Step program will also be helping students to navigate important life skills like effective decision making, thinking ahead about the consequences of our actions, and how to get motivated even when tasks are difficult.
This Fall our students will also be learning about social media and internet safety with a guest speaker from law enforcement. Included in this important assembly will be information about a Pennsylvania program called Safe2Say Something. This program provides a 24/7 anonymous tip line for any student with safety concerns at school. Students can access Safe2Say Something on their website (https://www.safe2saypa.org), by phone (1-844-Saf2Say), or by the app.
Warm regards,
Mrs. Barkdoll
Middle School Counselor
New 3D Printers
One-Button Recording Studio
Small-group study rooms
Our district has amazing faculty and staff that deserve to be celebrated! 🎉
Please take a moment to nominate an outstanding Fairfield Area School District employee!
Do you know a teacher, staff member, or colleague who goes above and beyond? Whether you're a coworker inspired by a fellow employee, a parent impressed by your child's teacher, or a student impacted by a dedicated staff member, we want to hear about them!Nominate someone today for the Shining Knight recognition and help us celebrate those who make a difference every day! ✨
Need to send a note? It's so easy!
- Go old-school! Handwrite a note, send it in with your student. ✍🏻
- Send an email! đź“© To Mrs. Adelsberger at Mrs. Adelsbegerj@faifield.k12.pa.us
Don't Forget: Students are allowed 10 parent notes per year for absences.
It's best to send a Dr's note whenever possible!
Going out of town? A Family Vacation?
You'll need to complete an Educational Journey Form. Students are allowed 5 educational journey days per year. Please submit your Educational Journey Form to Mrs. Adelsbegerj@faifield.k12.pa.us at least 10 days prior to your trip.