❄️ Principal's Message: Wrapping Up the Semester with Gratitude

As the calendar turns to December, we are filled with a spirit of gratitude and a flurry of activity as we head towards the conclusion of the first semester. This is a time to reflect on the student growth and numerous achievements our students have demonstrated since the beginning of the school year

The dedication of our students, the passion of our faculty, and the support of our families/community is what makes the Fairfield Area High School a great community for learning. Please join me in ensuring a strong finish to all academic pursuits before the well-deserved winter break. We look forward to celebrating the season with you at our upcoming events!

📚 Academic Corner: Strong Finish & Semester Exams

The final weeks before winter break are crucial for academic success. Please encourage your student to stay focused and utilize all available resources.

• Final Exam Schedule & Prep: The semester exam schedule is…Thursday, January 15th for Blocks 1 & 3 and Friday, January 16th for Blocks 2 &4.. Please ensure your student is aware of their exam times and is Instructional Lab (IL), after-school help sessions, and are communicating with teachers for assistance.

• Keystone Testing: Literature – Wed., January 7th and Biology – Thurs., January 8th

• Grade Reporting: Final semester grades will be posted in the Skyward on Friday, January 23rd. This is a great opportunity to discuss performance, celebrate successes, and set goals for the New Year.

• Attendance Reminder: Every school day counts. Please help ensure your student maintains excellent attendance through the last day before break, December 19th.

🔔 Important Dates & Holiday Events

December is packed with opportunities to celebrate the season and our students' talents!

Winter Choral Concert

Holiday Spirit Week

Last Day of Classes Before Break

💡 Health & Wellness: Managing Holiday Stress

December can bring both joy and stress for students. It's important to finish the semester strong while taking care of mental and physical health.

• Holiday Stress Management: Encourage your student to prioritize sleep, eat regular meals, and take short breaks during study sessions through the holiday break. The HS school counselor, Kristina Mathews, is available for students needing additional support during the weeks leading up to the holiday break.

• Winter Break Safety: If your student is traveling or engaging in outdoor winter activities, please review safety guidelines with them. Remember to stress the importance of responsible decision-making during all holiday gatherings.

🚀 Looking Ahead: New Year, New Opportunities

We are excited about what the second semester will bring! The 2nd Semester begins Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Course Selection: Information regarding course selection and scheduling for the 2026-2027 school year will be shared with students and families in Late February/Early March. Start thinking about next steps after high school!

Amber Zinn’s German IV Gingerbread Project is currently on display at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg during the annual Gingerbread Festival, taking place December 5th, 6th, and 7th. We encourage you to stop by this weekend to enjoy the exhibit and support her work!

Amber was inspired by the iconic “Fernsehturm” (TV Tower) at Alexanderplatz in Berlin, Germany, creating a festive gingerbread interpretation of the famous landmark.

Help Amber win!
Voting will open soon, and a link will be shared as soon as it becomes available.

For more event information, please visit the Adams County Arts Council’s webpage: Gingerbread Celebration 2025.

High School Music Ensemble Google Calendar: 

Rehearsals and important events - see calendar. 

Veteran’s Day Performance: High School Choir performed for our Veteran’s at the Veteran’s Day Breakfast on November 11 at Liberty Mountain Resort.

 High School Concert Choir   

ACMEA County Chorus Festival: The ACMEA County Chorus Festival was on November 21 and 22 at Gettysburg Area High School. Congratulations to all who will be participating in this event. A special shout out to Lily Behr, sophomore, and Clara Behr, 8th Grade, who had solos in the festival. 

Pictured front to back: Laken Smith, Lily Behr, Lillie Myers, Ysabella Japzon, Ori Stenabaugh, Ash Carmichael, Marley Crum, John Baker, Charlotte Holmes and Wyatt Murphy. 

Important Upcoming Music Events:

December 4th is the Middle School and High School Band Winter Concert

December 10 is the Elementary Holiday Concert

December 16 is the Middle School and High School Holiday Concert

All Concerts start at 6:30 p.m. in the district auditorium. See calendars and letters home for more information on report times for students. 

Chamber Singers Field trips:

December 5 - National Fallen Firefighters Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 7 - AMVETS Pearl Harbour Ceremony

Music Department Holiday Tour

December 12 - Music Department Holiday Tour

The Counseling Office is:

Supporting our students by reminding seniors what they need to be doing at this time to be college bound. We have also given the ASVAB test and have begun posting scholarships.We are also working with student families, with economic hardships, through the holidays.

Students, stay informed! Regularly check the Schoology Counseling Group and Student Square for your graduation year to stay up to date on important updates and reminders .

The National Honor Society collected canned items for Bag of Bounty. Thank you to all who participated!

Isabelle Studli, Charlie Sweeney, and Aden Frank participated in the District III Golf Championships. Isabelle advanced to the PIAA State Championship and finished 18th in the state.

Fairfield Cross Country runners Haley Best, Taylor Borne, Wyatt Murphy, Amber Skoczen, and Victoria Snyder competed at the District III Cross Country Championships. 

The Fairfield Girls Soccer team won a District III 1A playoff game against West Shore Christian Academy, but lost in the semi-final to a tough Brandywine Heights team.

You can find winter sports information at the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ja6N87aDoiNfkAlF36O8p-efUD2-DC7UmJw1AI58vhk/edit?usp=sharing

High Schoolers attended the Women in STEAM, held by the Women in Transportation group, and took five students. The students had wonderful educational experiences learning about women in STEAM/Trade fields. While we were there, Haley Best was awarded a $1500.00 scholarship. Additionally, her table won the 'Structure Challenge.' If you see Haley, or any of the girls, please congratulate them for their hard work! 

Submit Records: Copies of your child’s records can be emailed to 📧 ebaughk@fairfield.k12.pa.us or dropped off at the main office .