By Sarah Opdahl

Entering their fourth year as a combined elementary school, now under one name—New Fairfield Elementary School (NFES)—the Town’s youngest learners are thriving and ready to embrace their new identity in bigger ways. Enter: the REBELS mascot.

Head Principal Ms. Allyson Story explained that for over a year the “staff and families have been working to create our new identity as New Fairfield Elementary School.” She went on to say, “Since the district mascot is the rebel in all schools we thought “REBELS” became a simple, kid-friendly acronym—Respectful, Empathetic, Brave, Engaged, Learners, Strong—that turns our mascot into a set of actions students can practice.”

“At NFES, ‘Rebel’ is a verb—how we show up for one another,” Story stressed, saying, “We also know that visuals help students remember and reflect, so elevating the mascot gave us a joyful anchor for our culture work.” The mascot will be used in a myriad of ways:

Morning Meetings & lessons: quick mini-lessons tied to a REBELS trait of the month.

Recognition & celebrations: monthly Principal Awards and shout-outs aligned to REBELS.

Hallways & classrooms: posters, artwork, and clear behavior expectations using REBELS language.

Assemblies & events: kick-off and monthly gatherings where students share examples of REBELS in action.

Staff culture: shared visuals on staff materials and a consistent coaching language (“What did being an Engaged REBEL look like in math today?”).

Story is pleased that this effort is “values-first and inclusive by design.” She shared that the artwork and messaging are age-appropriate, welcoming, and focused on character, not costumes. “We’re excited to celebrate the many ways our children already live these values—and to give them a fun, memorable way to keep growing.”

The shared language for the REBELS mascot will now begin at the very start of a child’s school journey in the district, rather than in secondary school. “When a kindergartner talks about being ‘Respectful’ or ‘Brave,’ and a parent hears the same words at home, it strengthens the partnership. It also smooths transitions as students move through the grades—there’s a common identity and a positive way to talk about choices, effort, and belonging,” Story said. Furthermore, “The mascot gives our learners a way to point to the good—‘I was a Brave REBEL today!’—and that builds confidence.” They’ll also learn earlier what many generations have before them, “Once a Rebel, always a Rebel!”