If your summer went by as quickly as mine did, then this date may have snuck up on you – school starts in Fairfield on Wed., Aug. 29, for all students except kindergartners (whose parents have been advised of their child’s specific schedule).

We are looking forward to a great year in the Fairfield School District, and building on the many accomplishments of the past. I am grateful to the Fairfield Echo for providing this space to us every week, so that we can tell you about all the activities, events, programs and other news in the district.

Today I’d like to just briefly highlight some things that are new or changed for this coming school year. In the coming weeks we will use this space, as well as other communication tools, like the district website, to review these and other subjects in more detail.

The district website, at www.fairfieldcityschools.com, is an increasingly important way you can access information about the schools. Once classes begins, teachers can keep you updated on your child’s work in class by using the Progress Book section of the website. The website also has all the important calendar dates for the coming school year, and even many for the year after that, for those dates that are already set. You can also find school supply lists on the site, and the schedules for the fall sports season and other extra-curricular activities.

We have made an important change in the district’s extra-curricular code of conduct policy. This policy now applies 7x24, 365 days per year, and not just during the time that a student is in school and/or actually participating in an extra-curricular activity. Under the policy, inappropriate behavior can result in disciplinary action. The prohibited behaviors specifically include being in an area where drugs or alcohol are present.

I’d like to clear up any confusion about drug testing for students involved in extra-curriculars. Although the school board spent several months last spring examining this concept, at this time there is no drug-testing program. We are hopeful our students will continue to choose a healthy drug-free lifestyle without the need for a testing program.

We are working to teach our students about healthy choices, featuring different wellness themes throughout the year. The school cafeterias will be offering snacks that are healthier and served in smaller portions, and we’re looking at a way that parents can actually prohibit certain purchases by their children.

Students who ride the bus to school should receive cards in the mail this week with their bus information. (An important note: If a student rides a Fairfield School District bus to a school that’s not in the district, and if that school opens before Aug. 29, please contact the transportation office at 829-6603. During the days before the Fairfield district is open, your bus schedule may be different from the information on the card you will receive.)

While these and other daily facets of school life are important, our main focus remains on education. We are always looking at our teaching practices, at professional development opportunities for our teachers, at the curriculum, textbooks, and new and exciting ways to use technology in education, and at everything else that goes into providing the best possible education that can be offered, to every single student who comes through our doors. In the coming weeks I hope to share with you many of the ideas and programs which relate to that.

And please remember to drive especially carefully as our community’s children walk, ride the bus and drive their own cars to school.

Cathy Milligan
Superintendent
Fairfield City School District

Published in the Fairfield Echo, Aug. 23, 2007