Dear Fairfield Middle School Families,
As we wrap up another memorable school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your support, encouragement, and partnership. We’ve had a great year filled with growth, learning, and meaningful connections. Our students and teachers have worked hard, and now it’s time for everyone to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with friends and family.
Looking ahead to next year, there will be some new faces in new places, but our mission remains the same: to keep growing and to always put students first. That’s what it means to be in the middle of Fairfield.
Have a safe, joyful, and restful summer!
-Mr. Hoffacker
📢 Summer Learning Announcement!
Looking for a fun way to keep your child’s mind sharp over the break? Join our IXL Summer Leaderboard Challenge!
Students can complete key Math and ELA skills from our Summer Boost Activities Guides (linked below) to stay on track and prep for next year. The grade level that masters the most skills will earn a special reward this fall!
Let’s beat the summer slide together—who will rise to the top of the leaderboard?
Going into 6th Grade Math & 6th Grade ELA
Going into 7th Grade Math & 7th Grade ELA
Going into 8th Grade Math & 8th Grade ELA
Going into 9th Grade ELA, Algebra 1, Geometry, & Algebra 2
Wishing you a fun, safe, and brain-boosting summer! ☀️📚
McKenzie Weil: Kenzie is a dedicated student who always seeks to do her best work. She takes an active role in her studies, asking for clarification when needed, and contributes valuable insights during class discussions. She is active outside of the classroom as well, enthusiastically participating in extracurricular activities. Kenzie is unfailingly respectful and polite, and for these reasons, Kenzie is a true Fairfield Knight of the Month.
Moira Sanders: Moira is a thoughtful and earnest student who provides a steady presence in the classroom. She is polite and respectful, treating others with kindness. She has shown academic and professional growth over the course of the school year. Her friendly and supportive attitude is appreciated by her teachers and peers, and for all of these reasons, Moira is a Fairfield Knight of the Month.
Alex Sherman: Alex is a respectful student who exhibits a strong sense of responsibility in both the classroom and extracurricular activities. He is the type of student who elevates class discussions with well-thought-out contributions, and his academic work shows a dedication to excellence. Alex is willing to volunteer and does so with a positive attitude. It is with these attributes that Alex is a great candidate for Fairfield Knight of the Month.
Vincent Ford: Vincent is the type of student whose willingness to contribute to class discussions provides an impressive base of knowledge and insight. He exhibits respect for others and has a desire to do well. He has a friendly demeanor and is supportive of others. His desire to not only be successful but to help others also succeed makes Vincent a great candidate for Fairfield Knight of the Month.
Jeremiah Wantz: Jeremiah is a great student and demonstrates the qualities that teachers look for in a knight. Jeremiah comes to class on time prepared and is mentally ready to learn when he steps into the classroom. He participates in class, works well with a variety of students and accepts constructive criticism to improve his work. He maintains focus on his academics and is well liked by his peers and teachers! Jeremiah is an exemplary student and demonstrates all of the qualities of a knight.
Ayla Murphy: Ayla is a friendly and kind student and she has been described as a pleasure to have in the classroom by all of her teachers. When Ayla comes to class, she always has a smile and a positive attitude! She is polite to all of her peers and her teachers and works well with everyone. Ayla participates often and does a great job of balancing talking to her friends and completing her work. Ayla also has done a great job this school year balancing being an active member of band and completing all tasks for her academic classes. Ayla comes to school everyday ready to do her best and is a shining example of what teachers look for in a knight!
Cali Paulus: Cali demonstrates the qualities of a knight by being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. She shows respect when addressing teachers with questions or concerns. She shows responsibility by completing all of her assignments. She will take her time to ensure she is producing work of high quality, like on her recent PSSA’s. She has shown she is ready to learn by participating in class discussions, displaying active listening skills, and engaging fully in our 6th grade camp experience. We are very proud of Cali and her hard work this month!
Troy Donato: Troy demonstrates the qualities of a knight by being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. Troy shows respect both in school and on the playground. Troy is kind, well-mannered, and a good sport. He demonstrates responsibility by keeping his materials organized and following classroom routines. He shows he is ready to learn by participating in class discussions and being willing to try new things. We were especially impressed with his caddis fly shell creation at 6th grade camp. We are very proud of Troy and his hard work this month!
Owen Wastler: Owen consistently demonstrates the qualities of a true knight by being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. He works well both independently and in group settings, serving as a positive role model for his peers. Owen is always prepared for class with his assignments and materials, and he treats both classmates and teachers with kindness and respect. His genuine care for others and strong work ethic make him a valued classroom community member. Owen shows his readiness to learn by consistently striving to do his best in all that he does. His dedication and positive attitude are evident in his daily efforts, and we are very proud of him for always giving his best.
Vivian Fry: Vivian truly exemplifies what it means to be a Fairfield Knight! She is consistently respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. Whether working in groups or independently, Vivian shows kindness, cooperation, and a willingness to help her classmates. She comes to class fully prepared with her assignments and materials and puts forth her best effort in everything she does — from classwork to homework. Vivian’s dedication to learning and her positive attitude make her an outstanding role model for others.
We are incredibly proud of Vivian and all the hard work she has put in this month — way to go!
We are thrilled to recognize Mrs. Kristine Sheffer, 7th Grade ELA Teacher, as this month’s Shining Knight! Nominated by several students, Mrs. Sheffer stands out for her unwavering dedication, enthusiasm, and positive impact in the classroom. Her students shared how she consistently goes above and beyond to create a welcoming, engaging, and supportive learning environment. Whether it’s through encouraging words, thoughtful lessons, or simply being someone who listens, Mrs. Sheffer is making a meaningful difference every single day.
We are proud to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Rae Skoczen, Scarlett Davey and Emily Wallace who recently received awards from Scholastic. These students have demonstrated exceptional effort and creativity, and we are thrilled to celebrate their hard work with our school community. Congratulations to all!
Our students did so well at the Math 24 tournament, we are so proud of them! Fairfield competed against multiple schools at each grade level. The 4-5 graders competed together and the 6-8 graders competed together.
In the 6-8 grade competition, three of our students were able to make it to the finals (only six students make it to the finals). So let's shout out a congratulations to Ashlyn Valentine, Emry Ebaugh, and Taylor Borne!
PBIS Year-End Highlights
Our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program wrapped up the year with a flurry of exciting activities celebrating student achievement and positive behavior. Highlights included our much-anticipated year-end field trip to Fun Zone, awarded to the highest ticket earners of the year.
We also hosted our annual Knight-A-Thon, which raised over $3,000 to support our monthly, quarterly, and year-end reward activities. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our Fairfield Middle School families, we can continue recognizing and rewarding students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior.
As part of the Knight-A-Thon festivities, top fundraising students had the opportunity to soak Mr. Hoffacker—a favorite event among participants! All students who contributed to the fundraiser selected a treat from our snack cart and were entered into a raffle for a chance to enjoy a movie and popcorn experience.
Knight A Thon Photo Booth Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/19LF2jp3b9HF5TBHA
Knight a Thon Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UB5vNWTFxumWkaVn9
The Fourth Marking Period Reward was a special luncheon at Ventura’s, while students who met the Principal’s Challenge were treated to a surprise on the last day of school.
Thanks to the continued efforts of our PBIS team and the support of our school community, we’ve seen a decline in discipline referrals and an increase in student attendance. We are truly grateful to our Fairfield Middle School families for their ongoing support and partnership in promoting a positive and engaging school environment.
As the school year comes to a close, I’ve truly enjoyed supporting our students through the many ups and downs of middle school life. It has been a privilege to watch them grow in confidence and resilience as they navigate academics, build lasting friendships, connect with teachers and staff, and begin planning for their future.
While the journey is not always easy, each challenge presents an opportunity to learn, grow, and seek support when needed—and our students continue to rise to the occasion.
If you need to reach me over the summer, I am available by email at barkdolla@fairfield.k12.pa.us.
Wishing all of our students a joyful, safe, and restful summer break!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Barkdoll
Middle School Counselor
7th & 8th Grade Band and Chorus – High Note Festivals & Hersheypark Trip
On May 16, 2025, the 7th and 8th Grade Band and Chorus participated in the High Note Music Festival, where both groups delivered impressive performances. The Chorus received a Superior Rating, the highest possible honor, while the Band earned an Excellent Rating, recognizing their outstanding musical achievement.
Following the festival, students enjoyed a well-earned celebration with a trip to Hersheypark, where they had the opportunity to relax and have fun together. It was a memorable day filled with music, teamwork, and celebration of their accomplishments. Congratulations to all the students and directors for a successful and rewarding experience!
We've had an incredible year together!
A year filled with learning, growth, and exploration! From diving into new subjects and tackling challenges, to building friendships and discovering our own unique strengths, it's been a journey to remember. We are so proud of all the hard work, creativity, and resilience each of our students has shown.
As we wrap up this amazing chapter, we hope our students carry these experiences with them and continue to stay curious, kind, and confident. Wishing you all summer full of fun, rest, and adventure—you've earned it! Have a fantastic summer break!
In Mr. Garza's Class...
This month students finished studying the region of Russia and the Caucasus. We took time to look back at what we had studied, and also looked at a few interesting things that time did not allow for. The battle of Fairfield, and the Ming Dynasty of China to name a couple of assignments. Students finished the year with a final exam that encompassed all Units of study dating from ancient Mesopotamia to modern U.S. History. I am proud of how hard they worked this year, and I hope everyone has a great summer. Below is a link featuring a few examples of Pixel Art (one of our final projects) created by (in order) Ayla Murphy, Lilah Roberts, Caroline Kraft, Jameson Hall, Riley Housaman, Raina Michaels, and Emry Ebaugh.
Outstanding Job, Ben!!
I would like to give a special shout out to Ben Ross in my homeroom for doing the morning announcements this year. He was never present for attendance when the year began, and then I started noticing his voice on the announcements. I was able to catch up with him for a short interview about the announcements.
Mr. Garza:
When did you first decide you would like to volunteer to help with the school announcements?
Ben:
To be completely honest, I signed up by accident. I was in technology class, and she (Mrs. Mentzer) wanted us to sign up for something, and I didn't realize that I signed up for the announcements, and then it kind of just stuck.
Mr. Garza:
What was one of the more challenging announcements that you had to give?
Ben:
Usually the toughest ones are like announcing the Knights of the Month, but there was this one random fact, and it was the true pronunciation of a country or something. And I forget it, but it was like super long.
Mr. Garza:
What have you most enjoyed about doing the announcements every day?
Ben:
Probably that it just gives me something to do in the mornings, and I get a shield ticket like occasionally.
Mr. Garza:
What has been the most interesting fact or joke of the day that you've given this year?
Ben:
Well, my favorite joke was my joke, and it was, “How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?”, “Ten tickles”.
Mr. Garza:
Do you have any plans to keep working on this skill?
Ben:
Yeah, I'm going to try to sign up for high school.
On behalf of the 8th Grade Team, congratulations and thank you for a wonderful school year. To the students, you made it and we are so very proud of you and good luck next year with all of your adventures. And to the parents, thank you for entrusting your children with us and for your constant support this year. Good students are a reflection of good parents and good parenting.
On May 21st the 8th Grade traveled to the Gettysburg Civil War Cyclorama, Museum and Battlefield. While some had been there before, for a number of them this was their first time there. From studying the artifacts and interactive learning stations of the museum to scaling up and down Little Round Top the students learned more about this pivotal Civil War battle just down the street.
Need to send a note? It's so easy!
- Go old-school! Handwrite a note, send it in with your student. ✍🏻
- Send an email! 📩 To Mrs. Wheeler at wheelers@fairfield.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. Wheeler at least 10 days prior to your trip.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading the Middle School Newsletters over the past few months. It has been our pleasure to keep you informed and engaged with all the exciting happenings throughout the Fairfield Area School District.
The newsletter will continue to serve as a key communication tool—keeping students, parents, and community stakeholders connected as we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education. From classroom highlights to upcoming events and student achievements, our goal is to ensure everyone stays well-informed and involved.
We’ll be taking a brief pause during the month of July, but rest assured—we’ll return in August 2025 with fresh stories, updates, and a warm welcome to the 2025–2026 school year and all the opportunities it will bring.
Until then, we wish you and your families a safe, relaxing, and joyful Summer 2025!