Fairfield Community Schools -

For those of you who haven't checked out our new Fairfield Community Schools app, here's a YouTube link to see some of the highlights of what is offered and the ease to which you'll be able to find it! While the app is awesome, our website is completely revamped and ready to serve you better than ever before!!! https://youtu.be/Gl3pIcUwMx4

We're thrilled to announce the new app for FCS! It's everything FCS, in your pocket. Download for Android https://bit.ly/3mArFvU Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3mtMQQh

Fairfield's 8th graders traveled to South Bend to see the Cubs play baseball against Cedar Rapids Wednesday morning as their 8th grade trip. The kids were able to enjoy the full spectrum of the gameday experience, and a nice day away from the grind. Thank you South Bend Cubs for hosting our kids among the fans in attendance!

We talk all the time about the support staff, and how they keep the wheel moving at all of our schools. And they do. HOWEVER, without the teachers, there is no class. There is no school. Your jobs seemingly has no job description with the magic you perform on a daily basis. Your innovation, your intuitiveness, your counsel, your care, your unwavering love for the kids and your fellow teachers - you are loved! Thank you teachers as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week!

A little note from around the area of one of Fairfield's own continuing to sharpen his iron. https://gclancers.com/news/2023/5/1/mens-track-field-plastow-willard-earn-athlete-of-week-distinction.aspx

A reminder that Fairfield color guard is holding auditions this Wednesday (5/3) and Thursday (5/4) from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Fairfield Coliseum. The club is accepting all 7-12 graders, and no experience is necessary.

It used to be a saying no one wanted to hear, "Off to the principal's office you go!" With a crew like this, that phrase doesn't apply. We have some of the best principals in the game, and are proud to celebrate them today! Happy Principal Appreciation Day to our leaders - Jason Grasty, Nick Jones and Sarah Flagg at Fairfield; Wade Jagger at Millersburg; Carla Hochstetler at Benton; and Meg Gingerich at New Paris!!!

Fairfield golf was sharp at Maxwelton last Monday, posting a 159 to edge out Wawasee’s 168, both getting a team win over West Noble’s 211. Brayden Miller was the medalist with a 36, Miles Nine had a 39 and the trio of Carter Kitson, Andrew Miller and Jasper Carl all handed in 42s. Wawasee won the JV contest by one stroke, 193-194. Jake Elliot paced the Fairfield undercard with a 46. A day later at Meadow Valley, Miller’s 35 pushed Fairfield to a 166 and wins over Westview (184) and Angola (191). Elliot and Benjamin Kio both fired 45s to lead Fairfield to a 196-214 win in the JV card. The Falcons shot 322 to finish fourth at Saturday’s Wawasee Invite at Maxwelton. Miller posted 73 for third overall and Kitson finished at 79. Alec Hershberger’s 11 strikeouts led Fairfield to a 5-0 win over Garrett in the opening round of the NECC baseball tournament. Keegan Miller drove in three in the win and Michael Slabaugh had four hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored. Fairfield was the ‘road’ team Friday for the first game ever played on the new Fairfield baseball field, and withstood Westview, 12-6, in the tourney semi-finals. Fairfield coaxed 12 walks and rallied with seven runs in the sixth inning to pull away for the win. Hershberger had a no-hitter going for 5.1 innings Saturday, but Eastside managed to get enough done offensively to win, 3-1, in the tourney championship at Fairfield. Hershberger struck out 10 in the complete game, but two Blazer runs in the sixth and one in the seventh gave the visitor’s the title. Elkhart clipped Fairfield in JV baseball last Monday, 5-4, in Elkhart. Fairfield stayed clean in NECC tennis play this week, starting with a 5-0 win over Busco. Addison Mast led the way with a shutout at one singles while Elyse Yoder and Abby Gall both lost just one game in their singles sweeps. The Lady Falcon JV closed out a 9-2 win over the Eagles. More of the same on Tuesday with a 5-0 win against Fremont, Mast and Gall giving up just one game between them in the victory. JV Falcons won 7-2. In the prime NECC showdown Thursday, two dubs picked up a third-set win to keep Fairfield clean in the conference at 5-0 with a 3-2 win over Westview. Malley Behles and Ella Branneman rallied to win 6-3 in the decisive set with the other courts settled at two apiece. Mast rolled in losing just one game and Gall won 6-3, 6-2 to set the tone for the Falcons. Westview won seven of 11 on the JV courts. Fairfield trailed 10-6 but rallied with four runs in the seventh for an eventual 13-10 win at Garrett in the opening round of the NECC softball tournament. Amelia Black was a homer short of the cycle with three hits and three RBIs while Makayla Culp scored four runs. Too much of a good thing early almost cost Fairfield in an 8-7 nailbiter over Angola in the NECC semis Thursday. Fairfield led 8-0 in the sixth, only for Angola to get two back in the bottom half then leave the tying run on base in the seventh. Faith Berkey homered and Bailey Willard tripled in the win. Eastside had its way in the championship game, pounding Fairfield 17-4 Friday night. Makenna Steele hit the first Fairfield homer in the new stadium and drove in all four runs for the Falcons. Fairfield managed just two wins in the field among its output in a 96-36 girls track loss at West Noble Tuesday night. Madelyn Culp took high jump (4-10) and Jalyn Stofleth claimed pole vault (8-6) for the Lady Falcons. Marco Garcia and Nick Hofer both doubled, but the Fairfield boys lost to West Noble 94-38. Garcia won the 100 (11.60) and the 200 (23.90) while Hofer took both throws, the shot put (49-9) and the discus (124-8). Olivia Dewald was second in both the 100 (13.22) and 200 (28.39) and Culp was second in high jump (4-10) to highlight Fairfield at Friday’s Wabash Apache Invite. Hofer was first in shot put (47-7) and third in discus (127-8) while Ethan Hochstetler was second in discus (130-2) for the boys. Baseball and softball also had their sectional draws announced Sunday evening by the IHSAA. Both tournaments will be held at the Field of Dreams Park at NorthWood. Softball draws Wawasee in the first game of the six-team bracket, the winner getting Lakeland in the semis. West Noble and East Noble meet in the second game, the winner getting the host Panthers. Baseball draws NorthWood in the bye game of their tourney draw. West Noble and Lakeland open, with Wawasee and East Noble in the second game. Those two winners will meet in the first semi-final, the Falcons and Panthers playing in the second semi-final. NorthWood announced it will release dates and times sometime today for both tournament brackets. Those dates and times will be announced via response post on Facebook and Instagram, and the Fairfield athletics page will have updates as well.

Bragging rights were on the line Friday afternoon when the students of Benton Elementary took on the staff in a winner-take-all game of basketball. Prior to the contest, sixth grade teacher Lindsay Kauffman was honored for her 11 years of girls basketball coaching at Fairfield, to which Kauffman announced this week she is stepping away from the program. As for the actual hoops, the staff had a decided height advantage buoyed by the assistance of state champion Brea Garber. The scoreboard shut off with so many points scored. It was a 'tie'!

Fairfield High School will be hosting a bevy of camps this summer. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s being offered. More information on any of the camps can be directed to Sheila Miller in the FHS athletic office. Camp registrations are due by May 5, or a late fee will be added for each camp registration after the 5th. Boys Summer Youth Camps Football - $40 May 22-25 Grades 6-8 - 3:30-5:30 p.m. -AND- July 11-14 Grades 1-5 - 5:30-7 p.m. Tennis - $35 June 5-9 Grades 6-8 - 10 a.m. - noon Grades 3-5 - 1-2:30 p.m. Baseball - $40 June 26-30 Grades 3-5 - 10-11:30 a.m. Grades 6-8 - 12-1:30 p.m. Grades K-2 - 1:30-3 p.m. Basketball - $45 July 17-20 Grades K-2 - 9:30-10:50 a.m. Grades 3-5 - 11 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. Girls Summer Youth Camps Tennis - $35 May 29-June 2 Grades 6-8 - 10 a.m. - noon Grades 2-5 - 1-2:30 p.m. Softball - $35 June 5-9 Grades 6-8 - 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Grades 2-5 - 1-2:30 p.m. Basketball - $35 June 12-16 Grades 6-8 - 10-11:30 a.m. Grades 3-5 - 12-1:30 p.m. Grades K-2 - 1:30-2:30 p.m. Cheerleading - $35 Grades K-6 - 5:30-7 p.m. Volleyball camp is TBD

The 12th Man Club Golf Outing is set for Sunday, June 25, at Maxwelton Golf Club in Syracuse. The four-man team scramble begins at 1 p.m., an annual fundraiser to help support the Fairfield football program. Full details, registration and sponsorship opportunities as well as program details can be found at the link below: https://sites.google.com/fairfield.k12.in.us/12thmanclub/home

Fairfield's Work-Based Learning class spent an afternoon exploring downtown Goshen. While completing their list of challenges, students learned about the benefits of small businesses and all there is to experience right in their own backyard. The class would like to thank the Goshen Business Community for welcoming our students and providing a fun learning experience, the Chamber for the use of the conference room, as well as thanks to Janus Motorcycles, The Soapy Gnome and Springer Printing for giving our students some behind-the-scenes tours.

Fairfield High School students accompanied sociology teacher Ryan LeCount to Faith Mission in Elkhart for a service project. Aside from a tour of the facility, students were able to serve lunch as well as learn about the purpose and structure of Faith Mission. The trip was part of a class unit on social stratification.

BREAKING NEWS: Fairfield High School girls basketball coach Brodie Garber has decided to step away from the program, effective immediately. He told the program this afternoon in a meeting at the school. A statement from Garber: “I have decided to step down as girls basketball coach at Fairfield High School. By no means was this an easy decision. I have several heartfelt thank you’s. Thank you to my family for their support and allowing me to do something I have thoroughly enjoyed. To the many administrators that I have worked with throughout the years, you have constantly supported and believed in me and I greatly appreciate that. My coaching staff has been amazing. Winning was nice, but spending quality time with you guys in the gym was even better. To all the young ladies I’ve been able to coach. You all hold a special place in my heart. Whether you are a current player or past player, I look forward to supporting you in the years to come. Lastly, thank you to the Fairfield Community for your constant support of Fairfield Girls Basketball. Thank you, Brodie Garber" A statement from Fairfield Community Schools superintendent Dr. Carrie Cannon: "I am sad to hear but fully understand the next journey in his life. It's sad to have coach Garber step down, but we fully understand and support his decision, and are proud of what he has brought to Fairfield Community Schools as a basketball coach, but also a person of high character and educator. “Coach Garber has built a great program that consists of mental toughness, high character players and a great feeder system that is demonstrated by our Lady Falcons on a daily basis. We will be looking for the same type of values, skill set and leadership qualities from our next ladies basketball coach. “Coach Garber will still be a teacher here at Fairfield Community Schools and we are luck to still have him in that capacity. We want to thank coach Garber for everything he has brought to our basketball program and the personal investment he has brought to the girls' lives.”

Chloe Cripe received quite an announcement two weeks ago, shocking perhaps. “When she showed me the letter, it took me a good second to figure out why she was showing me a letter from Baltimore, and I didn’t see the Carson Scholars logo,” Cripe said of the moment her mother showed her the acceptance letter. “I opened it and went into shock.”. “I opened it and went into shock.” Cripe, who was nominated earlier this year as a Carson Scholars candidate, found out she was indeed a scholarship winner and went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this past weekend to receive her accolades. Cripe received a $1,000 scholarship, a medal, and Fairfield receives a trophy on Cripe’s behalf as one of the national winners. Cripe was nominated for the honor for her work in the community in combination with her work as a student. The Fairfield sophomore has a laundry list of activities that keep her busy, including 4-H and her church, and is one of the top students in her sophomore class. Cripe is shown in Pittsburgh with Dr. Ben and Mrs. Candi Carson, the co-founders of the Carson Scholars Fund, and Devon Harris, who was the keynote speaker at the conference in Pittsburgh. In the second photo is Chloe with her influential educator, FJSHS art teacher Kim Amor, along with her Carson Scholars medal.

Attention parents of incoming sixth graders for next year! There are appointments available for two band sign-up nights, the first on Wednesday, April 26, from 5-8 p.m., and the second on Friday, April 28, from 5-7 p.m. at the Fairfield coliseum (located near the band and choir rooms at the Jr/Sr high school. Representatives of the Quinlan & Fabish Music Company will be there with instruments to try out. For more information, contact Dakota Pederson at dpederson@fairfield.k12.in.us

A 'give back night' is going on tonight at Culver's for Fairfield junior Aislin Hunsberger. Money raised tonight from 5-8 p.m. via purchases at area Culver's restaurants will go to a fund to help Hunsberger travel to New York in June as part of the 2023 Scholastic National Art Awards, to which Hunsberger is a Gold Medalist! Stop in at Culver's from 5-8 p.m. to help out one of our own!

Sports aplenty from Fairfield's spring teams last week. They needed an extra day to rid the snow, but Fairfield boys golf emerged with a three-stroke win, 170-173, over NorthWood Tuesday at Meadow Valley. Brayden Miller led the Falcons with a 39 and Carter Kitson chipped in a 42. Jayce Smith’s 45 pushed the junior high golfers to a 210 to clip Lakeland and Prairie Heights Thursday at Wawasee Golf Club. Saturday was a rough weather day, but Fairfield’s varsity shot 318 to finish third at the Manchester Invite. Miller shot 71 to lead the team, Kitson had a personal best 78 and Miles Nine added an 82. The JV competed at the Plymouth Invite, and despite sleet and sticking precipitation, Jasper Carl was second overall with his 85 to highlight Fairfield’s day. Tennis was nearly flawless Tuesday in a 5-0 shutout of West Noble. The side only gave away two games in its whitewash of the Chargers, shutouts pitched by Addison Mast and Elyse Yoder in singles play and the duo of Amanda McGuire and Elise Schwartz in doubles. Yoder and the one dubs duo of McGuire and Schwartz both won three-set marathons to push Fairfield past Warsaw, 4-1, Thursday night. Mast added a huge win at one singles, beating Addie Lind 7-5, 6-4 in a showcase of two of the top singles players in northern Indiana. Baseball held off a Garrett rally in the seventh to win, 5-4, Tuesday. All of Fairfield’s runs came in the fourth, Keegan Miller adding an RBI in the process. Garrett scored three in the seventh to put the pressure on, but Landon Miller closed the door in relief to complete the win. Starter Alec Hershberger struck out 14 in six innings of work. Keegan Miller fanned 10 and went the distance on the hill as Fairfield won at Lakeland, 14-2, Thursday evening. Michael Slabaugh had a pair of doubles, a homer, and drove in four. Friday against No. 6 New Prairie, Cohen Yoder had an RBI but the Cougars were too tough in a 9-2 win. Fairfield bounced back Saturday with a 14-4 win against visiting Concord. Yoder reached base four times, scored three times and drove in three, Slabaugh tripled and walked twice, and Donovan Mast added a double and run scored. Softball edged Garrett, 2-1, Tuesday. Jasylynn Hall had two hits, a run scored, an RBI and two stolen bases to pace the victors. Makenna Steele homered and drove in four to lead Fairfield to a 10-6 win at Lakeland Thursday night. Ava Bontrager added a double, homer and three RBIs. The JV also got the dub, 8-3, at Lakeland. Fairfield doubled up Prairie Heights, winning the boys track meet, 86-44, and the girls, 76-51, Tuesday night at home. Olivia Deward won the sprints for the Lady Falcons, taking the 100 (13.72) and the 200 (29.25) while Madelyn Culp hurdled her way to win at 110 (18.04) and 300 (53.94). Jalyn Stofleth added wins in pole vault (7-0) and long jump (14-11.25). Marco Garcia led the way for the boys in three events, taking the 100 (11.66), 200 (24.24) and long jump (18-4). Nick Hofer and Ethan Hochstetler went 1-2 in the throws, Hofer winning the shot put (45-2) and second in discus, while Hochstetler won disc (129-4) and second in shot. At Saturday's Goshen Relays, Nick Hofer led the Falcons with a win in shot put, sending the pill 47-7 for honors. Other top threes for Fairfield included the 4x100 relay second (46.62), the 800 sprint medley third (1:50.21) and Ethan Hochstetler third in discus (135-10). Fairfield hosted Lakeland in a boys-girls junior high track double dual Wednesday, and saw the home side win both matchups, the girls 70-48 and the boys 82-35. Highlights for the girls included 100 and 200 hurdles wins from Shelby Miller at 19.12 and 34.52, and a double from Joya Holsopple in pole vault (10-0) and long jump (14-8). Gavin Abbs led the boys with three wins, taking the 100 dash (13.28), 110 hurdles (20.50) and long jump (16-10). Wyatt Mast add added wins in the 800 (2:29.53) and high jump (4-8). Holsopple set the Fairfield school record with a pole vault of 10-6 in the meet at Westview Friday evening. She added wins in long jump (14-7.5) and the 100 (14.10) to highlight the evening. Westview won the girls meet 65-53. The Westview boys rolled 97-21, the 4x100 relay the lone Falcon win at 52.25.

New Paris Fire Department has a special guest speaker Tuesday evening in Mary Irvin. With over 30 years of special education teaching experience, Irvin spoke at NPFD and completed a training to support strategies and skills in working with special needs populations. Irvin spoke primarily to working with students with Autism, but most strategies would be great for all students with special needs.   “It was a great opportunity for me to meet with firemen and discuss possibilities with future partnerships to support familiarity and comfort of families with loved ones with special needs and emergency personnel,” said Shanda Branneman, Director of Special Education with Fairfield Community Schools. “I look forward to future field trips, fostering connections with individual families, and making families aware of important initiatives in Elkhart County, such as Project Lifesaver.”

Millersburg students took part in a unique way to research basketball players: by becoming the players themselves! Students took a deep dive into the histories of players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, then became them by dressing up and also turning themselves into wax museum exhibits as part of sharing their findings. Among the players who were researched were Bryant, James, Stephen Curry, Shaquille O'Neal, Lisa Leslie and Maya Moore.