Superintendent's Newsletter
New Fairfield Public Schools March 2022
The Power of Words
This article was printed in the Town Tribune last week; I felt it was important to share it again with families.
The New Fairfield Public Schools’ mission is to “engage students, staff, and the community in a partnership to provide a collaborative, innovative, encouraging and safe environment where all members take an active role in supporting each other’s learning while also helping students pursue their own passions.”
We believe that all students are more successful when they feel accepted and valued and there is a great deal of research to support this belief. Unfortunately, we have recently experienced incidents that do not make students feel accepted or valued. We have seen evidence of overt racism at our schools, primarily incidents on social media. For example, the “n” word has been used in both casual and threatening manners. All intimidating and cruel events - whether they take place in person or on social media - cause students to feel marginalized and unsafe.
As our Board of Education Chair, Dom Cippollone, stated, “We all have to do a better job of educating our children about words, social media, and how hurtful inappropriate language and images can be.” Our children are often exposed to inappropriate language and the portrayal of cruelty through television, social media, and music. They are desensitized to the power that words and images have to hurt others. We at NFPS work to address the issues that result from this exposure, but we cannot do it alone. We must work as a community to limit our students’ exposure to hateful language and images and guide our children to stop using language that promotes intimidation. It is time to band together and reinforce kindness and acceptance.
Please know that we take all of these incidents very seriously. A culture of using hate words and speech will not be tolerated in our schools. We will continue to deal with every situation and take appropriate disciplinary action. In addition, we will get better at informing the community, so families can help us address these issues and limit exposure to media that promotes negative behavior. Please know that we will continue to implement internal strategies to make all students feel safe. NFPS will not tolerate racism in our schools. I am sorry our children and families have to experience these hurtful situations.
Dr. Cosentino
Spring Assessment Information
Assessment is a key component of a student’s education. In New Fairfield, we assess both formally and informally, all throughout the year. We use the information that we gain from our assessments to drive our instruction, plan for differentiation, and evaluate our curricula and programs.
In addition, in the State of Connecticut, districts are required to participate in the administration of the Smarter Balanced Assessments of reading and mathematics, the Next Generation Science Assessment (NGSS) and the Connecticut School Day SAT.
Below is a schedule of assessment dates by grade level. Students take the Smarter Balanced test in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics in Grades 3 through 8, the NGSS in Grades 5, 8, and 11 and the School Day SAT in grade 11.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Window (ELA and Mathematics)
Grades 3-5 April 27 - 28, May 3 - 5, 17 - 19
Grades 6-8 May 3 - 4, 10 - 12, 17 - 19
Science Assessment Dates
Grade 5 May 24
Grade 8 June 1
Grade 11 May 23 - 26 (during scheduled science class time)
School Day SAT
Grade 11 March 23, 24, 25, 29
These tests are taken on school issued computers so it is important that students bring their devices to school fully charged on these testing dates. Please also send their chargers in with them.
For more information about these assessments, please visit the State Department of Education website at www.sde.ct.gov. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.
Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!
New Fairfield Prevention Council to hold “Hidden in Plain Sight” free Virtual Workshop on April 6 for Parents and Educators
The New Fairfield Prevention Council (NFPC) is sponsoring a free virtual workshop on Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. for parents, educators and all members of the New Fairfield community and nearby towns. The workshop’s goal is to help parents recognize their children’s warning signs of drug-related high-risk behavior and how to manage them.
The “Hidden in Plain Sight” virtual workshop will be presented by Anna Gasinski, a prevention specialist with the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals. This statewide network of prevention advocates makes the prevention of harmful health behaviors a priority, and responds proactively to behavioral health issues.
During the 60-minute workshop, Ms. Gasinski will provide participants an opportunity to explore a mock teen’s bedroom to explain various trends of teen substance use, signs, symptoms and lingo in an effort to raise awareness about substance-use disorders. The workshop also provides resources and tools for parents and community members to identify further prevention tips, treatment options and recovery services.
NFPC council member and pastor of the Congregational Church of New Fairfield, Liz Yoho, said, “NFPC asked Anna to present this important and timely workshop because we want to help raise awareness among parents and other adults taking care of young people about the importance of being alert to signs of substance use and abuse. We know that there are ways juveniles can get their hands on drugs. Our goal is to help parents recognize if this is happening and how to talk to their children so they’ll listen, and not get defensive.”
“Hidden in Plain Sight” is open not only to New Fairfield residents. NFPC encourages parents in neighboring towns to register for this free valuable workshop. During the workshop, participants will gain insights into current trends in youth substance use, drug paraphernalia and concealment of alcohol and drugs The workshop will help parents learn what to look for in their teen's bedroom and what to say once they have found drugs and drug paraphernalia.
To register for the “Hidden in Plain Sight” virtual workshop on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 7:00, go to https://bit.ly/NFLPC1
Thank you Board of Education Members!
March is CT CABE's Board of Education Appreciation Month! We want to take a moment to thank our members for the countless time and effort they put into making our schools the best they can be.
Kathy Baker
Timothy Blair
Dominic Cipollone (Chair)
Greg Flanagan
Amy Johnson
Kimberly LaTourette (Secretary)
Samantha Mannion (Vice Chair)
Edward Sbordone
Stephanie Strazza
Nominate New Fairfield’s next Teacher of the Year
New Fairfield Public Schools
Email: communications@newfairfieldschools.org
Website: http://www.newfairfieldschools.org
Location: 3 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield, CT, USA
Phone: (203)312-5770