NFPS Update

NFPS is in a good rhythm entering week three! I have been making my way to classrooms and the sidelines of athletic contests. Classes are in full swing, and we are well into our sports season. The foundations for strong relationships and teamwork are being built, which is essential for achieving academic and athletic success. We will continue to generate momentum as we approach the autumnal equinox on Thursday, September 22. Have a great week!

Warm regards,

Ken

Kenneth G. Craw, Ed. D.

Our annual Open Houses begin this week as parents are invited to meet the teachers. Hope to see you there. Details regarding Open House schedules have been provided by the principals.

Tuesday, September 20 - Grades K-2

Wednesday, September 21 - Grades 3-5

Thursday, September 22 - Grades 9-12

Thursday, September 29 - Grades 6-8

We are pleased to announce that the New Fairfield Public Schools has hired Mr. Paul Gouveia as the next Director of Technology. Mr. Gouveia will began his new position on September 16. His appointment follows an interview process, which included representative stakeholders from across the district.

Mr. Gouveia decided to make the transition from Corporate IT to education by accepting a position as the High School Technician for the 2018-19 school year. Since joining the district and prior to being appointed as Director of Technology, he served as the Network Administrator and Broadcast Coordinator.

He assisted in the town-wide recovery from the microburst event in May 2018, and designed, implemented and deployed remote work, remote meetings and distance learning at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He served as an advisor to town leaders on many committees and projects, including new school construction and design, security operation center design, and radio communications and dispatch.

Please join us in congratulating Paul!

NFPS currently has vacancies for paraprofessional positions and substitute teachers. Paraprofessionals are essential in supporting the learning process and substitutes assist us in maintaining continuity of learning. If you, or someone you know, are interested in joining the NFPS team of educators, we encourage interested candidates to reach out to our Human Resources department. Our Director of HR, Kara Mehler, would love to hear from you. If you have questions, please contact Kara via her email. You may view open positions and apply online through the NFPS website.

On Saturday, September 10, we had the joyous occasion of celebrating the opening of the new addition with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Following a few brief speeches from honored guests, attendees were welcomed into the school to tour the facility. The community can be very proud of creating such inspirational learning spaces. Let's do it again next year with the opening of the new high school.

From September 15 to October 15 annually, our country celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, with the purpose of recognizing the many contributions of Hispanic/Latine Americans. Please see resources below to learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Hispanic Heritage Month

• U.S Department of Education

• U.S. Census Bureau

With regard to COVID-19, we have started the year as we ended last year. Based on updated guidance from the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) that was released this summer, the 2022-23 NFPS COVID-19 Protocols have been refined with the goal of continuing to maximize in-person learning. These strategies apply to students and staff regardless of vaccination status.