Dear Fairfield Families,

As we turn the calendar to April, there is a distinct shift in energy here at the high school. The

arrival of spring in Adams County always brings a sense of renewal, but in the halls of Fairfield

Area, it also signals the start of our most fast-paced season.

This month is a delicate balancing act. For our underclassmen, it is a time of looking forward as

we finalize course selections for the 2026–2027 school year and prepare for spring assessments.

For our Seniors, April is the month where the future becomes the present. With Prom just

around the corner and graduation preparations in full swing, I encourage our Class of 2026 to

cherish these final milestones while remaining diligent in their academic commitments.

We often talk about Knight Pride; and this time of year is when it shines brightest—whether

it’s on the athletic fields, during our upcoming music performances, or in the focused

environment of our testing rooms.

Please take a moment to review the adjusted calendar in this months newsletter, specifically

regarding the April 6th weather makeup day and the updated Prom date. We want to ensure

every student is able to participate fully in the traditions that make Fairfield special.

Important Dates & Reminders

Date Event Details

Monday,

April 6 School in Session This is a weather makeup day (due to the March 3rd

closure).

April 7 –April 14

Prom Ticket

Sales Tickets will be sold during lunch periods.

Tuesday,April 7

Prom Guest

Passes Due

Completed passes for non-Fairfield guests are due by 8:00 AM.

Monday,April 13

Board Study

Session 6:00 PM at the District Office.

April 20 –April 24

PSSA Testing

(ELA)

While primarily for grades 3-8, high school schedules may shift to accommodate testing environments.

Monday,April 27

Board Voting

Meeting 7:00 PM.

Tuesday,April 28

Chamber Networking County Connection; event hosted at the high school (8:00AM – 10:00 AM).

Senior Spotlight: Graduation & Prom Updates

The finish line is in sight for the Class of 2026! Please take note of these critical adjustments to

the spring calendar:

 Prom Date Change: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Prom has been moved to

Saturday, May 9, 2026. Please update your calendars accordingly.

 Graduation Date: The official date for the Class of 2026 Commencement is Friday,

May 29, 2026. Detailed information will be communicated to students and parents later

in April regarding graduation.

 ACTI Seniors: High school seniors continuing at HACC should RSVP for the Next

Step luncheon held on April 23.

Academic & Counseling Corner

2026–2027 Course Selection

The counseling office is currently finalizing schedules for the next academic year. If your student

has not yet submitted their course requests or discussed their path toward Act 158 graduation

requirements (Keystone pathways), please encourage them to visit the Counseling Office this

week.

Testing Season Prep

As we head into May, please prepare for a heavy testing window including:

 Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

 Spring Keystone Exams (Algebra I, Biology, and Literature)

 SATs

 School Safety & Culture

 Safe2Say PA: A reminder to all students and families that the Safe2Say Something

platform is available 24/7 for reporting any concerns regarding school safety or student

well-being.

 Spring Sports: Good luck to our Knights as the spring athletic season gets into full

swing! Check the Athletics page for the most up-to-date game schedules and weather-

related cancellations.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your student’s success. Let’s make this a productive

and memorable April!

Go Knights!

Brian W. McDowell

Principal, Fairfield Area High School

The STOP THE BLEED campaign has been successfully integrated into the Health curriculum for 9th and 11th-grade students, providing them with essential life-saving skills. This program is designed to empower students to act quickly and confidently as immediate responders during life-threatening bleeding emergencies. In critical situations, every second matters. According to medical research, a person can die from severe blood loss in as little as five minutes—often before emergency medical services can arrive. Because of this, the campaign emphasizes the importance of the “person next to the victim” as the first and most crucial responder.

Stop the bleed photos

 Our students, Chris Brown, Michael Fisher, Olivia Sanders, and Johnny Wastler

competed in the Bloomsburg University Husky Dog competition and they took 3rd place overall!

There were over 220 teams at this event. Their project, Bus360, is an application designed to provide real-time tracking of school buses and student routes. By offering precise location data to both parents and the district, the app enhances student safety and operational transparency. The judges commended the team for the project’s innovation, practical application to school community needs, and their delivery of their presentation. I am so incredibly proud of them.

The students worked incredibly hard on their solution and presentation, and it was wonderful to see that effort recognized on such a large stage. 

7 Mason Dixon FFA members travelled to Wilson College to compete in Horse Evaluation. They took a test on common equine equipment and then evaluated 4 horse classes including two under saddle classes and 2 halter classes. All of our members placed in the top 50%. Special shoutout to Charlotte Duvall, Samantha Hess, and Ashlyn Stambaugh who placed 18th, 23rd, and 25th respectively out of 150 competitors!

Students currently enrolled in Spanish and German celebrated National Foreign Language Week from March 9 through March 12.

The celebration included learning about cultures from around the world, including traditions, culinary specialties, and everyday practices.

On Monday, March 9, Mr. William Jenkins, our Fairfield Elementary 4th grade social studies teacher, shared his adventures in China with our foreign language students. He presented the country from a unique perspective and sparked students’ interest in Chinese culture and history.

Brazil was presented by our former Spanish teacher, Mrs. Audrey Anderson. Students learned that there is much more to Brazil than the Amazon Rainforest. She highlighted the country’s way of life, diverse geography, and vibrant celebrations, including its famous Carnival.

Maureen Mercado Marrero, a Puerto Rican native, brought Puerto Rican culture to our students in an engaging and interactive way by teaching them salsa dancing. Students enthusiastically joined in, making this presentation very special. They also explored Puerto Rican cuisine and enjoyed tasting some traditional dishes that Maureen shared.

To culminate the week, we had an international potluck in which students made and shared dishes from all over the world with their classmates. This was a highlight for many students who had never tried preparing and/or tasting these types of cuisine before!

Overall, National Foreign Language Week was a meaningful and enriching experience for our students. Through these engaging presentations, students gained a deeper appreciation for global cultures and traditions while recognizing the importance of language learning in connecting with the world. The week inspired curiosity, cultural awareness, and enthusiasm for exploring languages beyond the classroom.

Freaky Friday High School Spring Musical 

The High School Spring Musical, Freaky Friday, was held on March 6 & 7th. The students in the cast and crew were from grades 7-12. The students had 3 showtimes and did an amazing job. Congratulations to all. Thank you to all the parents and businesses who made donations for our show. A special thank you to Allen and Holly Smith and Keith and Rebecca Crum who made generous monetary donations to the Musical.

As we closed out the winter sports season, we want to recognize a few outstanding athletes for their achievements:

Come and join us for a day in the Big Apple!!! New York City is always fun, especially in the summer. Walk the High LIne, enjoy Central Park (boating, biking, exploring), Take a boat ride on the Hudson River, stop at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, plus so much more....

When: June 6th, 2026

Time: Leaving Fairfield at 6:00 AM - Returning back to Fairfield at 12:00 AM

Cost: $90

All proceeds will benefit the Class of 2029 and the Fairfield High School Courtyard.

Please see the flyer for more information or contact Mrs. Lederhos or Frau Cline.

The High School Counseling Office is currently working on the master schedule for the 2026/2027 school year. Scheduling will be happening in May for current grades 8-11. STUDENTS should be reaching out to the counseling office for any questions on scheduling and credits.SAT and AP testing are also happening in May. The Academic Awards for qualifying Seniors will be held on May 14th at 6 PM.

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 .

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