The Rebel Crier

Second Semester begins on Monday, January 27. Students taking half-year classes should go to their new classes. Full-year courses do not change. Schedules, as always, are visible in PowerSchool.

Semester One grades will be finalized and posted on Monday, February 3rd by the end of the school day. If students have questions regarding their grades, they need to speak with their teachers this week in order for grades to be posted accurately.

As we begin the semester, seniors should check to be sure they are close to completing their required community service hours. If students do not complete the 60-hour requirement, they are not permitted to participate in a SEE internship in May.

We'll kick off the week with a whole-school assembly following Period 4, featuring NFHS students and our keynote speaker, Ed Gerety! The whole week of events (see below) was organized by our Unified Sports partners and their advisers, Mrs. Bodnar and Mr. Schwarz!

The week will conclude with a Pep Rally on Friday, for the first time ever including our unified athletes!

At halftime of the Boys Basketball game on Friday night, we will have our Unified Basketball game vs. Newtown. We hope to have lots of community support for this great event!

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.

Transition to High School night showcased our programs to eighth grade students and families to help them learn about NFHS programs and meet our teachers, but is also open to ninth grade students and families who may want to meet teachers or learn about programs in the Arts, CTE areas and other electives as they plan out the rest of high school. Spread the word!

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.

Next week, students will start signing up for their second semester REBEL Enrichment Experiences. Students will receive detailed descriptions of this semester's offerings in their school email. We are excited to build new connections between faculty and students! See last week's newsletter for a list of offerings.

Freshmen and Sophomores will sign up on Thursday, January 30th. Juniors and Seniors signed up on Wednesday, January 22nd.

Staff professional learning day. Students dismissed at 10:50

Families and students in grades 8 and 9 are invited to learn all about NFHS programs!

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!