This time of year is always a very special time for me. It is when I get a chance to reflect on all of our successes as a school and a district, as well as providing me the time to spend with my family and give thanks for all of our blessings.

Speaking of successes – this has been a great year. Through our integrated systems model we have worked with students on our P.R.R.IDE initiatives. These initiatives focus on the positive behaviors of problem solving, respect and responsibility. Through our focus on reinforcing these positive behaviors we are already seeing favorable results. At this point the data indicate a 40 percent decrease in discipline referrals to the office for violations of our student code of conduct.

I encourage all of you to thank your daughters and sons for coming to school and focusing on these positive behaviors. 

Another success I would like to mention is our marching band. They received a superior rating in November at the State of Ohio Band Competition in Dayton. Our band is a perfect example of teachers, parents and students working together to achieve excellence. 

Our fall sports were strong this year and I want to congratulate Andrea Curry for qualifying for the state cross country tournament and finishing 19th overall in Ohio. Congratulations also go to our girls soccer team for winning the first round of the sectional tournament and our boys soccer team for making to the sectional finals.  Congratulations to all of our fall athletes and coaches for their dedication and good character. 

Our drama department has put on two wonderful performances with “See How They Run” and “Antigone.” It is amazing to see talented students perform at such a professional level. We are really looking forward to seeing “Phantom of the Opera” this spring.

This fall we also hosted a community engagement day when 45 teachers, students, parents and other community members collaborated to come up with aspirations for Fairfield Senior High. We used this input to develop our goals for the 2007-2008 school year. I would like to thank everyone who participated in this meaningful day. Taking time to focus on our future and celebrate our successes will allow us to continue to improve and achieve excellence.

Finally, I’d like to recognize and congratulate all the outstanding educators who were honored recently by the Fairfield Community Foundation. There were 15 in all, including 10 from out district, and from our school, Jill Wilhelm. She is the director of the marching band I referred to above, as well as a wonderful teacher and the music department chair.

Happy holidays to all of you. Thank you for your support and the quality time you spend with your children, teaching them responsibility, respect and problem solving.

Paul Waller
Principal
Fairfield Senior High School

Published in the Fairfield Echo, Nov. 29, 2007