By Sarah Opdahl

With the start of school just a week away, New Fairfield Public School District’s Superintendent Dr. Ken Craw is overjoyed about the year ahead. Every fall he finds himself most excited about “The first day of school! It marks the moment when the school community comes back together to begin making new memories while growing and learning together,” and this year is no exception. With goals surrounding incremental improvements each year, Craw is enthusiastic to fill the classrooms, placing a particular emphasis on student engagement by continuing to help learners become active participants in their learning.

“My advice to families and students is to stay connected, stay engaged,” Craw encouraged, knowing that there are opportunities aplenty for all in the school system. To help with the flow of communication and transparency, the district is excited to offer enhanced information, such as the Curriculum Blueprint section on Newfairfieldschools.org, which aims to “provide parents and caregivers with greater insight into what students are learning across our schools.” Having led a community-wide reading of The Anxious Generation last year, there are commitments being followed through on which will result in more intentional learning and wellness decisions and which will impact technology use in the schools. Craw explained that the schools are also “expanding opportunities for students to engage with one another face-to-face by carefully considering when technology enhances learning, and when it distracts from it. We remain committed to creating learning environments that support academic achievement while promoting healthy development. This work is ongoing, and we appreciate the partnership of our families as we navigate these important conversations together.”

For Craw, an overarching theme for the year, which goes hand in hand with high levels of engagement, is the importance of reconnection. “For me, every new school year is about reconnecting—students connecting with classmates and with their new teachers, and our educators connecting with families who share our commitment to helping every student meet with success.” He said he believes wholeheartedly that “when students feel connected to their teachers, their peers, and their school community, they are more engaged in their learning.” Craw pointed out that “we are fortunate to be a district small enough to know our students well, while also being large enough to offer a comprehensive range of academic, arts, athletic, and co-curricular opportunities. That sense of belonging and engagement is something we strive to cultivate every day, in every classroom, and it is one of the things that makes New Fairfield Schools such a special place.”

When asked what new initiatives and projects he is most excited about, Craw shared a number of exciting improvements, including “daily world language instruction in grades 7–8, expanding students’ exposure to language learning from every other day to every day and expanded access to Advanced Placement courses, with a record-high percentage of NFHS students enrolling in AP courses, reflecting both increased opportunities and students’ willingness to challenge themselves.” He also described an expansion of the Bridge Program at New Fairfield High School (NFHS), which creates additional opportunities for students to access individualized supports while remaining connected to their school and community. New Fairfield Middle School is celebrating newly constructed classrooms for orchestra, chorus, and general music, providing improved spaces to support the growing performing arts programs, while NFHS athletes will be pleased with updated locker rooms. Finally, continued enhancements were  made to the New Fairfield Elementary School playground, funded through the generosity of the Parent Teacher Organization, “creating additional opportunities for play.”

An area of focus for Craw will be the shifting of two administrator roles. He is “pleased to welcome Dr. Katherine Blore to the New Fairfield community as the new principal of NFHS.” And he is happy to see a transition at New Fairfield Elementary School, with Dr. Jennifer Hilderbrand, who previously served as Assistant Principal, now in the role of Upper House Principal, through which she will lead students and staff in grades 3–5. “Together, they bring outstanding instructional leadership, a collaborative spirit, and a deep commitment to building strong partnerships.” More information will be available about both positions/administrators in next week’s Town Tribune.

Craw is also happy that all Central Office school district administrators and staff have now relocated to the Middle School/High School campus, following a departure from the Annex building in the Town’s center. “Bringing the administrative offices together with the schools on one campus is strengthening collaboration among district staff, increasing accessibility to our schools, and enhancing our ability to provide support.”

With engagement and reconnection of utmost importance for the school community, Craw also encourages families on the cusp of the academic year to simply be present and “make the most of the time with the schools.” He and his wife, Lauren, have recently become empty nesters and, take it from him, “it goes by faster than you think.”