Fairfield Families:
As we are 2 weeks into the 4th and final marking period, the finish line for this school year is in sight! With the weather warming up and exciting events like field trips on the horizon, it’s natural for students to feel a bit antsy. However, this is also a crucial time to stay focused, keep putting in the effort, and finish strong. Let’s continue working together to support our students in making the most of these last 2 months—learning, growing, and preparing for what’s next!
Looking ahead, PSSA testing is right around the corner. Please take a moment to review the letter we previously sent out here for important details. This year, all testing will be done online, so it is essential that students come prepared each day with their Chromebooks fully charged and ready to go. Thank you for your support in ensuring a smooth testing experience!
Mr. Hoffacker
Congratulations to Scarlett Davey! 🎉✍️
Please join us in celebrating Scarlett Davey on her incredible achievement! Scarlett’s writing submission, which previously earned a Gold Key at the Regional level, has now been recognized with a National Medal—a prestigious honor in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition.
This national recognition is a testament to Scarlett’s creativity, talent, and dedication to her craft. She has worked hard to refine her writing, and we are beyond proud of her accomplishments.
Scarlett is thrilled to receive this award, and we couldn’t be more excited for her.
Please take a moment to congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉👏📖✨
April is an exciting and eventful month for our PBIS initiatives! One of the highlights is the Principal’s Challenge Donut Reward, recognizing students who have demonstrated outstanding responsibility and commitment to their education. To qualify, students must have had no missing assignments, no illegal absences, and no disciplinary referrals throughout the third marking period. Those who meet these criteria will enjoy a well-deserved donut treat in celebration of their achievement.
Additionally, select students will get to experience a movie theater outing this month! Four students from each grade level, along with a friend of their choice, have earned this special reward by collecting the highest number of PBIS tickets during the third marking period.
Their dedication to positive behavior and academic excellence has truly paid off!
Knight A Thon
Looking ahead, we are gearing up for our highly anticipated Knight-A-Thon in May. Details have already been sent out, and we encourage families to continue supporting this event. Donations received will directly benefit our students by funding field trips and various PBIS rewards.
If you would like to donate, feel free to use the link below or follow the QR code posted here.
https://fairfield-middle-school-pbis-give-back-to-the-kids-fund.cheddarup.com
Thank you for helping us create a positive and engaging learning environment!
Our Middle School Student Council is thrilled to announce an upcoming evening dance on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 6:30 - 8:30PM! After months of planning, we are excited to bring students a night filled with dancing, games, prizes, and delicious snacks. This event promises to be a fantastic opportunity for students to unwind, socialize, and make lasting memories.
In addition to the dance, our student council is hard at work preparing special surprises for Teacher Appreciation Week in May. We are eager to show our gratitude to the dedicated educators who make a difference in our lives every day. Stay tuned for more details as we celebrate our amazing teachers!
We look forward to an exciting and fun-filled spring for all our students!
We Need Your Feedback! 🌟
Dear Parents and Students,
Your voice matters! We invite you to participate in our School Climate Survey to share your thoughts on our school's environment, safety, and overall student experience. Your feedback helps us improve and create a more positive and supportive learning community for everyone.
The survey is quick, confidential, and important! Please take a few minutes to complete it.Please take a few minutes to complete it by April 10, 2025.
🔗 Parents Survey - Click Here: https://tinyurl.com/yckdtt77
🔗 Student Survey - Click Here: https://tinyurl.com/2pp636sy
Thank you for your time and for being a valued part of our school community! 💙📚✨
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! ✨
Please use this nomination form to nominate any FASD employee.
Our school library is not only a place for students and teachers to discover exciting books and digital resources, but also a creative classroom, inviting students to think critically, collaborate, and connect with their school and the world around them.
So far this year, students and teachers have circulated books over 4,500 times, attended over 275 classes, and visited the library over 400 times! In April, to celebrate School Library Month, the library will be hosting special programs, including the annual Student Bookmark Design Contest, a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity while promoting the love of reading.
Our FASD libraries value your support; Let’s keep turning pages together!
An Exciting Day of Competition and Creativity!
What an incredible day! 🎉 Our students kicked off the morning by competing virtually against other schools in an intense trivia challenge covering the 24 books they read. They did an amazing job, with each of our teams placing in all three rounds! A special shoutout to our 4th-grade team, which made it to the final round and secured 2nd place overall! 🏆
In the afternoon, students put their teamwork and problem-solving skills to the test with a STEM challenge inspired by Hatchet and A Long Walk to Water. Using recycled materials, K’nex, Keva planks, tape, and glue, they engineered creative solutions to problems presented in the stories. They then showcased their projects in presentations to the other competing schools.
A total of 24 teams participated in this exciting event, including three teams from Fairfield (4th, 5th, and 6th grade). Competing schools included York Suburban, Eastern, Southwestern, Red Lion, Bermudian, Chambersburg, Littlestown, and Conewago Valley.
Paint Your Pet!
Our "Paint Your Pet" Fundraiser was such a hit last year that we’re bringing it back! 🎨🐾
For just $25, send us a photo of your pet, and our talented artists will create a pencil-drawn outline on canvas and custom-mix your paint colors. Then, on April 5th from 10 AM to 12 PM, join us for a fun-filled painting session, where the NAHS (National Art Honor Society) students will guide you in bringing your pet’s portrait to life!
Don’t miss this creative and heartwarming event—all skill levels are welcome! Thank you for supporting our high school artists and celebrating the love of pets through art. 🖌️✨
Reserve your spot today! 🐶🐱🎨
5th Grade PSSA Preparation is Underway!
Our ELA students are hard at work writing essays in preparation for the PSSA exams. Ask your child about the RACES writing strategy and how this acronym helps structure their essays! As we move into the fourth quarter, students are excited for their final letter essay and book talk. Please remind your child to be prepared for his/her final book talk/letter essay by May 14, 2025. Let's finish strong!
In science, students are also gearing up for the Science PSSA, which is especially exciting since this is the first year 5th graders will be taking the exam!
Meanwhile, in math, Mrs. Price is focusing on measurement, data analysis, and two-dimensional shapes to help students get ready for the test. Engage your child in a fun learning moment by asking: What unit of measurement would you use to measure a toothbrush—a yard, an inch, or a foot?
We appreciate your support in reinforcing these concepts at home as we prepare for a strong finish to the school year! 🚀📚✏️
6th Grade Team - Exciting Adventures Ahead in 6th Grade!
Springtime is bringing new and exciting learning experiences for our 6th graders!
🌏 Social Studies: Students will embark on a journey to ancient China, where they’ll explore its diverse landscape, unearth artifacts from the Shang Dynasty, and dive into three influential Chinese philosophies. They will also meet China’s first emperor, discover the lasting achievements of the Han Dynasty, and step into the shoes of Silk Road traders to experience the impact of global trade.
➗ Math: Our students will be diving into algebraic concepts, as well as learning how to collect, organize, present, and analyze data effectively. These skills will help prepare them for real-world problem-solving and the upcoming PSSA tests.
🏕️ 6th Grade Camp – May 7-9 at Camp Eder!
The countdown to 6th Grade Camp is on, and we couldn’t be more excited! A special congratulations to Andrew Frank, whose winning t-shirt design will be featured on this year’s camp shirts.
📌 Reminder: Important paperwork from the parent meeting is due by April 11th to ensure teachers have time to organize and prepare.
We look forward to a fantastic month of learning and adventure! 🌟
Mr. Ball's Math class Prepares for PSSA's ⌛📝
As we inch closer and closer to PSSA’s we will be working with real world percent problems and diving into some geometric concepts(area, perimeter, angles, surface area, volume). Students will each have at least one test in the upcoming weeks before we hit spring break, and remember that cheat sheets are allowed on any test, but they should be completed in the days prior to the test.
For the upcoming month of April there will be another set of IXL competitions, one for each class and one for the grade on who can complete the most skills, for this month the skills must be a level H or higher in order to count towards a students overall score.
🌎 Geography in Mr. Garza's Class
Students in history class last month studied major time periods in the US and Europe spanning from the Industrial Revolution through the Cold War. We are now working through the geography of regions of Europe.
Most recently before our quiz on Southern Europe I gave an additional challenge for students to create their own map of Southern Europe in preparation for our quiz (with a reference map provided). I had 9 students accept the challenge and hand draw a map of Southern Europe. Hunter Miller’s map is featured here.
Math Matters in 8th Grade! 🎉
Our 8th Grade Math students have been working diligently to master concepts related to the volume of cylinders, cones, and spheres, as well as exploring the relationship between the surface area of similar solids. They are actively applying formulas to determine missing dimensions, such as the radius and height, of various three-dimensional objects.
In Algebra, students have been diving into the Pythagorean Theorem and exploring the difference between rational and irrational numbers. Up next, we will tackle polynomials and factoring using the FOIL method—an exciting step forward in their mathematical journey! I look forward to seeing their progress as they engage with these new concepts.
Thank you for your ongoing support in your child's education! Their hard work and dedication have been truly impressive, and I’m proud of their efforts. 🎉📚✨
8th Grade English Language Arts
As we embark on our final marking period, our 8th-grade ELA students are demonstrating dedication and perseverance as they prepare for the upcoming PSSA exams. Alongside their test preparation, they are also putting the finishing touches on their Author Research Paper, a significant project that serves as both a culmination of their reading and writing journey this year and a foundation for their future high school English coursework.
This assignment encourages students to dive deep into their chosen author's life, works, and influences by exploring critical questions such as:
Who is the writer, and what themes or subjects do they explore?
What motivated the writer to create these works?
What historical or personal events shaped their writing?
What purpose or message did the writer intend to convey?
How did cultural, political, or personal influences shape their perspective?
By analyzing these aspects, students gain a richer understanding of literature, allowing them to engage with texts on a more profound level. This exploration not only strengthens their critical thinking and analytical writing skills but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the power of storytelling.
We are incredibly proud of our students' hard work and enthusiasm as they complete this meaningful project and prepare for their next academic adventure!
Exploring Electromagnets in Science!
In Science, students have been diving into the fascinating world of electromagnets! As part of a hands-on lab, they experimented with iron nails, copper wire, and AA, D, and 9V batteries to create electromagnets of varying strengths. Through this activity, they explored the principles of electricity, magnetism, and circuit design in action.
Currently, students are wrapping up a poster project that showcases their understanding of electromagnetic materials, the physics behind them, and the directional flow of electricity. Charlie Sweeney's poster is featured here.
Many of these creative and informative posters will be displayed in the hallway next week—be sure to check them out! ⚡🔬✨
8th Graders to Explore Career & Tech Ed at ACTI
On April 14th, our 8th-grade students will have the exciting opportunity to visit Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI) for an immersive look into the diverse Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs available to them in high school. This trip will provide students with a firsthand experience of the hands-on learning environments, industry-specific training, and career pathways that ACTI offers.
During the visit, students will tour various programs, engage with current ACTI students, and hear from instructors about the real-world skills and certifications they can gain through these specialized courses. This visit aims to help students make informed decisions about their future educational and career goals by exposing them to fields such as health sciences, diesel technology, construction trades, culinary arts, computer networking and more.
We are excited to offer this experience and hope to make it an annual tradition to help students explore the many possibilities available to them as they prepare for high school and beyond!
🧼 Hand Washing saves lives! Researchers estimate that one million deaths per year could be prevented if everyone routinely washed their hands.
🦠 Proper handwashing can:
✔ Reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses (like colds) by over 50%
✔ Decrease absences due to stomach bugs by over 50%
🚫 Hand sanitizer is NOT a substitute for washing with soap and water!
⏳ How long should you wash? After wetting your hands and applying soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds before rinsing with clean water.
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.
Answer to Last Month’s Question❗ 📆
In the March edition of "In the Middle of Fairfield",
the trivia question was: What was Fairfield named for a brief time in April of 1798?
📜 Fairfield was briefly named Millerstown, according to the post office registry. However, the name was quickly changed back to Fairfield due to its prior registration on tax maps and the existence of another Millerstown nearby.
Future Dates to Remember
5/2 - 2 hr delay for Students
5/7-9 - 6th Grade Camp
5/8 - Math 24
5/16 - Choral Ensembles / Hershey Park
5/19 - 5th Grade Field Trip
5/21 - 8th Grade Field Trip
5/23 - Knight A Thon
5/26 - Memorial Day Holiday (District Closed)
5/28 - PBIS Principal's Challenge Reward
5/29 - Last Day of School for Students
