The Rebel Crier

Unified Spirit Week got off to a great start with a whole-school assembly and events throughout the week to highlight not only Unified Sports, but having a more unified community!

We hope to see everyone at the Unified basketball game with Newtown tonight at halftime of the Rebels vs. Nighthawks game!

Our Unified Sports Partners and Athletes did an amazing job this week! THANKS to all of you for bringing this spirit of community to our school!

New Fairfield Public Schools is proud to announce the first annual Festival of Cultures, a community event designed to celebrate the rich diversity within our town. This engaging festival will bring together residents, students, and performers to share and experience the unique traditions, music, cuisine, and art of the many cultures represented in our community. We are seeking funding to support the event by providing supplies for cultural presenters and refreshments for our dedicated performers, ensuring a successful and enriching experience for all attendees.

Event Purpose:
The Festival of Cultures aims to:

• Highlight the cultural diversity of New Fairfield.

• Promote understanding and appreciation of global traditions through interactive displays, performances, and presentations.

• Foster a sense of community pride and unity by celebrating the unique contributions of all cultures within our town.

Event Details:

• Date and Time: February 1, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

• Location: New Fairfield High School theater and dining commons

• Activities: Cultural displays, live music, dance performances, storytelling, and interactive workshops, food vendors.

Community Impact:
The Festival of Cultures will provide an invaluable opportunity for residents to learn about and celebrate their neighbors' cultural backgrounds. By fostering greater understanding and respect, the event will strengthen the fabric of our community and create lasting memories for participants and attendees alike.

We are excited to launch this new initiative and invite your organization to partner with us in making the Festival of Cultures a resounding success. With your support, we can ensure that the event is well-resourced and welcoming to all, setting a strong foundation for future annual celebrations.

If you would like a table display, sponsor/supervise a club table, or have any other ideas to contribute, please Follow this link to sign up, or contact Kate Planz or Ernest Fabrizio-Garcia.

Are you a skier/snowboarder? TAKE A CHANCE ON THIS AMAZING RAFFLE! Drawing takes place 2/6 after 5PM!

PRESIDENT'S WEEKEND - 2/14-2/18 - SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESORT ACCOMMODATIONS WITH ACCESS TO SEVERAL MOUNTAINS FOR SKIING/SNOWBOARDING!

Scan the QR code or click on the flyer below for entry information and Venmo payment. ALL proceeds go to help offset DECA students' travel expenses to the International Career Development Conference in Florida in April.

PLEASE SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS - DO NOT HAVE TO BE LOCAL TO WIN!

Attention Families of Juniors and Seniors!

The NFHS College and Career Center and School Counseling Team invite your student to explore Naugatuck Valley Community College on Tuesday, February 5, 2025!

This is a FREE opportunity for students. However, seating is limited due to bus transportation capacity, so please encourage your student to submit their information to the College and Career Center early to secure a spot!

Details about the trip:

• Priority: Given to seniors planning to apply to or attend NVCC
• Departure: Bus leaves NFHS in the morning
• Return: Students will return to NFHS before the end of the school day
• Campuses: Both NVCC campuses in Danbury and Waterbury will be visited
• Lunch: Students should pack their own lunch

To participate, a completed permission slip must be returned to the College and Career Center by Monday, February 3, 2025.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs. Romanello at romanello.valerie@newfairfieldschools.org in the College and Career Center or reach out to your student’s school counselor.

Attention Seniors and Families!

The NFHS College and Career Center has been busy developing a comprehensive list of local and national scholarships, along with useful resource links for financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

We are excited to announce student Scholarship Support Sessions will be available during all lunch waves from February 11 to February 14. Students are encouraged to visit the College and Career Center during these sessions and any day during study hall or senior privilege time to get assistance with scholarship searches.

Our Financial Aid and Scholarship Resource list will be updated as we receive new information, so please check back frequently for available opportunities! This is also where you will find essential information and resources for financial aid and scholarship planning.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to:

Val Romanello | romanello.valerie@newfairfieldschools.org

Kim Laughlin | laughlin.kimberly@newfairfieldschools.org

Stay tuned for more information about a local scholarship kick-off event and workshop for seniors!

Congratulations to the fifteen new members of the Italian Honor Society who were inducted on Wednesday night!

ATTENTION ALL NFHS Students & Parents:

Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors!!

Get a '25 Yearbook now before they sell out!!

The FINAL Deadline Extension for '25 Senior Ads is 2/10/25!

This is the last and FINAL deadline extension for Senior Ads. It is almost time to go to print!

Don't forget to purchase an Ad for your '25 Senior to celebrate this achievement!

Please reach out if you are unsure if you have already purchased a yearbook, and I can let you know.

All senior ads, personal & business, are due by 2/10/25

Click on the QR Code on the attached flyer to place your ad and buy a yearbook today!

You can click on this link too: https://yearbookforever.com/

Thank you for supporting the NFHS Yearbook!

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Ms. Giddings

In the weeks ahead, two full-length SAT Practice Test opportunities will be offered to NFHS juniors; these are optional, but we encourage students to take advantage of them. This can allow students to become familiar with the SAT, build stamina, and receive personalized data with resources for growth prior to the March SAT administered to all students. Students may choose to take only one Practice Test or they may choose to take both Practice Tests as a pre/post experience.

The dates / times of these Full-Length SAT Practice Test opportunities are listed below.

• Wednesday, January 29th, 11:30-2:15PM (Registration Closed)
• Wednesday, February 26th, 2:15PM-5:00PM
• (Space Available! submit the Google form linked HERE)
• (This is an after-school time.)

*Note that students will need to arrange their own transportation home on these dates.

We are excited to provide this SAT Practice Test opportunity to our students to support them in transferring their learning at NFHS to the SAT and enhance their achievement.

Essay Topic

"From Flags to Factions: Examining Student Expression and School Policy"

Click here for a detailed description of this year's topic and fact pattern.

Prizes

Winner: $2,000

(2) Runner-up: $1,000

Visit the website for complete information:

https://www.ctbarfdn.org/essaycontest/essaycontest.html

The Connecticut Poetry Society is excited to invite your students to participate in the Lynn DeCaro Poetry Competition, a special contest for young poets in grades 9–12 across Connecticut. This competition was established in memory of Lynn DeCaro, a gifted member of CPS who passed away from leukemia in 1986. It honors her passion for poetry and encourages students to explore their creative voices.

Key Details:

• Submission Deadline: March 15
• Eligibility: Open to Connecticut students in grades 9–12
• Prizes:
• 1st Place: $150
• 2nd Place: $100
• 3rd Place: $50
• Entry Fee: None
• Submission Guidelines:
• Up to 3 unpublished poems per student
• Any form, with a 40-line limit per poem
• Submit electronically via Submittable
• No contact information should appear on the poems themselves (this will be collected via Submittable).
• Work created with AI software will not be accepted.

Winning poems will be featured on the Connecticut Poetry Society’s website, and winners will also receive a free two-year membership in the Connecticut Poetry Society.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your students and inspire them to take part in this enriching experience. Their voices and creativity deserve to be heard and celebrated.

For more information and to submit entries, please visit:
Connecticut River Review Submission Portal

In this year’s scholarship essay contest, public high school seniors in Connecticut

are asked to respond in 1,000 words or less to ONE of three questions with serious

thought, some research (with cited sources), and, most importantly, awareness of

the true cost of workplace hazards on the lives of workers.

1st Prize: $2,000

2nd Prize: $1,500

3rd Prize: $1,000

Follow this link for complete information:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecUibvVkfS1usR0KhTwjYyZN7QP7FSfoxdwk_G1X5t94Ueig/viewform

Come out to the Boys Basketball game on Friday, and support our Unified athletes and partners during their halftime game against Newtown!

Come to NFHS between 10am and 2pm for the inaugural Festival of Cultures! Booths, Activities, and Performances will highlight the amazing cultural diversity of our community!