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Welcome to April and the beginning of our fourth and final marking period. It is incredible how quickly this year has flown by, and we are now entering the most active and rewarding stretch of the school calendar. As the weather improves, we are looking forward to seeing our students spend more time outdoors and participate in the many special events we have planned.
Spring at the middle school is filled with unique opportunities for our students. From various grade-level field trips to the highly anticipated 6th-grade camp, these experiences allow our students to build stronger relationships and learn in ways that go beyond a traditional desk. These trips are a privilege and a great way to celebrate the community we have built together this year. We encourage all students to continue demonstrating the "Respect" and "Responsibility" we expect so they can be fully engaged in these activities.
As previously mentioned, April also marks our PSSA testing window. Our students have put in a tremendous amount of effort during our benchmarks and daily lessons to prepare for this moment. We are confident in their ability to showcase their growth. Please help us by ensuring your child is well-rested, has a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time during testing days. Their focus and perseverance during these assessments provide us with essential data to help support their future academic needs.
While it is tempting to look ahead to summer, the work being done in the classroom right now is vital. This final marking period is where many of the year's concepts truly come together. Please continue to monitor Skyward and communicate with teachers to ensure your student stays on track. Let's make this final quarter our most successful one yet.
Thank you,
Justin Hoffacker
MS Principal
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🏆 Knights of the Month 🏆
The Knights of the Month are selected by their teachers for best representing
the qualities of a Knight, by being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn!
🎉 Congratulations to the following students! 🏰
These outstanding students were chosen by their teachers for consistently demonstrating what it means to be a Knight — by being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn each and every day.
👏 Keep up the great work, and thank you for being shining examples for your peers!
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👏 Kalin Mirabile
Kalin has earned the right to be a Knight of the Month by completing assignments on time, coming to class prepared, and completing her homework on time. Kalin takes pride in her work and is always ready to be helpful to a classmate or teacher. She takes responsibility for her learning – always asking if she missed any work if she is absent. She comes to class prepared and is a great role model for other students as she is always eager to learn new things, participates in class discussions, and always gives 100%
👏 Bryce Leatherman
Bryce is the perfect example for Knight of the Month because he is ALWAYS responsible, respectful, and ready to learn. Bryce works hard every day on classwork – He finishes all assignments to the best of his ability. He is always prepared for class and asks questions when he needs clarification. He works well independently and in a group. Bryce has truly earned the honor of Knight of the Month for March!
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👏 Anderson Redding
Anderson demonstrates the qualities of a knight by being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. He shows respect when working cooperatively with peers on group projects. He shows responsibility by keeping his materials organized and arriving promptly to class. He shows he is ready to learn by putting his best effort into his classwork and taking school and learning seriously. We are very proud of Anderson and his hard work this month!
👏 Brianna Farver
Brianna demonstrates the qualities of a knight by being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn. She shows respect by listening to and following her teachers’ directions and speaking in a kind and respectful manner to adults and classmates. She shows responsibility by completing her assignments in a timely manner. She shows she is ready to learn by participating in class discussions, offering to read aloud, and taking school seriously. We are very proud of Brianna and the example she sets for her peers.
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👏 Marissa Brent
We are incredibly proud to announce Marissa Brent as our 7th Grade Knight of the Month! Marissa has consistently demonstrated an outstanding commitment to her studies, showing a level of dedication to her work that truly stands out. Her teachers frequently highlight her excellent contributions to class activities and her ability to contribute thoughtful insights in every discussion. She doesn't just complete her assignments; she approaches them with a genuine desire to learn and grow, setting a fantastic academic example for all her peers.
Beyond her classroom achievements, it is Marissa’s character that makes her a true leader within our school community. She is always quick to offer a helping hand to anyone in need and consistently brings a bright, positive attitude to every situation. By leading through kindness and showing a willingness to support others, she exhibits the very best of what it means to be a Knight.
👏 Cody McGlaughlin
Cody comes to class with a smile and a positive attitude-he is always ready to learn! Cody doesn't just show up with all of the supplies he needs to succeed in class-he shows up with a positive candor that also helps everyone around him! Cody's attitude never changes even when faced with a challenge in class.
Cody completes all of his classwork and projects thoroughly and asks fantastic questions to ensure that he is learning all that he can in his classes. Cody works well with all of his peers and is polite to both teachers and students. We are very proud of Cody's hard work for this year and are happy to have him as one of our Knights of the Month for March.
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👏 Jeremiah Wantz
Jeremiah comes to class each day ready to learn and is often one of the first to arrive. He is consistently prepared, cooperative, and always willing to lend a helping hand to others. His positive attitude and strong sense of responsibility contribute greatly to the success of the classroom. Jeremiah truly represents what it means to be a Fairfield Knight of the Month!
👏 Selena Rumpf
Selena is one of the most dedicated students in the 8th grade. She demonstrates maturity in all she does and is deeply committed to producing high-quality work. Selena continuously pushes herself to achieve her very best, setting a strong example for her peers. She is a joy to have in class and a true model Fairfield Knight of the Month!
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Important Dates for April
April 2 & April 3 – No School (Spring Break)
April 6 – Snow Make-Up Day (School in Session)
April 8 - Spring Picture Day
April 9 - Chris in the Classroom Family Night
April 15-17 6th Grade Camp
PSSA Testing - April 20th - 24th
PSSA Testing April 27th - May 1st
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🧬 SCIENCE UPDATE 🧬
We’ve made it to the final quarter! In the coming weeks, our eighth graders will be exploring the fascinating world of genetics—discovering how humans have adapted and thrived through some of the world’s greatest challenges.
Students will use DNA as a lens to understand our past and even imagine what the future might hold. They’ll get hands-on experience with Punnett squares to learn how traits are passed from one generation to the next.
We’ll also compare human genetics to the rapid reproduction of bacteria, giving students a clear look at how different organisms survive and adapt in their environments.
It’s going to be an exciting journey into the biological “code” that helps make us who we are! 🔬
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Math
Welcome to Quarter 4! We are wrapping up our unit on equations and inequalities while shifting our focus toward PSSA preparation. Our goal is for every student to feel confident and ready to tackle the upcoming test with ease. Outside the classroom, excitement is building as we eagerly anticipate 6th-grade camp—it's definitely in the air! Let’s work together to make this final quarter the best one yet.
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Science
After spring break, we will wrap up our Life Through a Lens unit with an exciting engineering design challenge. Students will use a digital simulation tool to design and test an Arctic diving suit. They will also step into the role of filmmakers, using the One Button Studio to record voiceovers for their animal survival documentaries. These projects highlight everything we've been learning about how animals adapt to extreme climates.
Once completed, we’ll transition into social studies as we begin our journey to Ancient China—exploring its geography, culture, dynasties, and philosophies. 🌏
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⛺ 6th Grade Camp Reminder: April 15th–17th is quickly approaching! We’re excited for students to experience hands-on learning in a natural setting.
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Math
As March transitions into April, we’ve been wrapping up our work with fractions and moving into decimals and measurement conversions. Students are excited to be done with fractions and are doing very well with decimals! Measurement conversions are still a bit tricky, but with continued practice, confidence is growing.
During W.I.N. and Knight Time, students have been working on a fun and creative Snowman Project ❄️—designing a snowman that weighs exactly 50 pounds and costs under $25. This has been a great hands-on way to apply math skills in a meaningful and engaging way.
Looking ahead, we will begin exploring the coordinate plane. Some students have already been practicing plotting points and are excited to help teach these skills to their classmates!
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ELA
We have been hard at work on our RACES multiple-paragraph essays. Students are using organizers to turn their ideas into strong, structured writing. Each essay includes an introduction, three supporting paragraphs with text evidence, and a conclusion. They are doing a fantastic job supporting their answers with relevant details!
In April, we will begin a poetry unit that will end with a special class poetry book 📖. While poetry isn’t always a favorite at first, students usually grow to enjoy it—and we’re hoping for the same this year!
We are also preparing for the upcoming PSSA at the end of April. Students are becoming more comfortable with the format and expectations. Please help your child do their best by ensuring they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast each day.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support! 🌟
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🌸 Happy Spring from Room 122! 🌸
We are excited for spring and have been busy as bees in Room 122! Our winter snowflakes have been replaced with beautiful handmade flowers that brighten up our classroom. 🌼
There’s also a lot of buzz around PSSA testing. Students have been sharing their past experiences and asking great questions. We wrote these on sticky notes and sorted them into three categories: Before, During, and After. Over the next few weeks, we’ll work together to answer as many of these as possible. Students are also practicing with the testing tools they’ll be using—ask your child about them and how they help! Our goal is for everyone to feel confident and prepared as testing approaches.
In ELA, students are using the Hamburger Template to organize and write strong paragraphs. They’ve typed their stories in Google Docs, and we’re proud to have them displayed around the room for all to enjoy!
In Math, we’ve begun our fractions unit. While fractions can be challenging, students are doing a great job identifying parts of a fraction and working with equivalent fractions. Soon, we’ll focus on explaining problem-solving processes to prepare for PSSA responses.
We’re also looking forward to our field trip on May 14th to Gettysburg Railways, where students will help plan the schedule and practice important social skills.
I am so proud of the hard work our students show each and every day.
🌷 Happy Spring! 🌷
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April is School Library Month! This is our time to celebrate the essential role that school libraries play in fostering a love of learning. To mark the occasion, our middle school students are "taking over" the library!
Throughout the month, students will step into the shoes of library staff by:
Designing custom bookmarks for our annual competition. Creating social media posts for the library’s Schoology page. Developing advertisements to highlight our amazing library and its resources. Applying for "Guest Librarian" positions to curate and design their own featured book displays.
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🌟 Musicians of the Month
Congratulations to our outstanding musicians!
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🎤 5/6 Musician of the Month: Brynleigh Weatherly |
Brynleigh is a dedicated member of the chorus who has performed solos in past concerts. She stays focused during rehearsals and is a wonderful role model for her peers. |
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🎺 7/8 Musician of the Month: Selena Rumpf |
Selena began playing the euphonium in 8th grade and has shown tremendous growth as a musician. Her passion and dedication to band make her a great example for others. |
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🎼 Adjudication Festival
Our 7th and 8th grade band and chorus students will attend Highnote Festivals on May 15, where they will perform for a panel of judges. Good luck to all of our talented performers—we know you will shine!
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🎵 Spring Concerts
Mark your calendars!
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Spring Band Concert: Tuesday, May 5 at 6:30 PM (Chimes opener at 6:15 PM)
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Spring Chorus Concert: Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM
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🎭 Spring Musical – Freaky Friday
Congratulations to everyone involved in Freaky Friday, performed March 6 & 7 in the district auditorium! We are especially proud of our 7th and 8th grade students who participated in the ensemble: Laura Bancraft, Clara Behr, Gabby Vega-Fritts, Kaity Gibbon, Addilyn McMullen, Savannah Munsee, Ayla Murphy, Cali Paulus, Leah Roath, and Anelise Sacco.
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A big thank you to all the parents and community members who supported this production through their time and donations! 👏
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Medication at School
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📣 Meet Our New Attendance Coordinator – Miss Sites!
We’re thrilled to welcome Miss Sites as our new Attendance Coordinator for Middle School and High School! She will be your primary point of contact for all things attendance-related.
Whether you’re:
Miss Sites is here to help!
Welcome to the team, Miss Sites — we’re so glad to have you!
📝 Need to Send a Note? It’s Easy!
Option 1: Go old-school
Handwrite a note and send it in with your student. ✍🏻
Option 2: Send an email
📩 Email Miss Sites directly at: sitesc@fairfield.k12.pa.us
👉 Be sure to include the reason your student was absent or late.
⏰ A Few Friendly Reminders:
Thank you for helping us keep attendance on track. We’re looking forward to a great school year!
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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 online or send in with your student. Please try and get it in at least 10 days prior to your trip.
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