Today, students explored the new Chestnut Street playground for the first time, and the smiles said it all. With a rubberized play surface, more accessible equipment, and spaces for both imaginative and active play, it’s already a hit with students and staff.
Thank you to our community for approving Proposition One of our Capital Project and helping make this new space possible!
Work continues on the Wheelock Main Street playground. We’ll share an update soon on that and when the Grand Opening for both playgrounds is scheduled.
The FHS Drama Club took a trip to New York City this past weekend. While there, they saw two Broadway shows - "Wicked" and "The Outsiders" and participated in workshops with cast members from those shows! Other experiences included visiting the Statue of Liberty, the Summit One Vanderbilt Tower, a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, a visit to the Museum of Ice Cream, and time in Central Park and Times Square. Thank you to the students who represented Fredonia well on the trip and the chaperones for all their help and support!
See more from the trip on their Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/fredoniamusical/
Spirit Week starts Monday!
There are plenty of ways for students throughout the district to join the fun! Each building has its own Spirit Week schedule, so please check below to help your student prepare for each day. Any questions should be addressed by contacting the main office of your student's building.
We can’t wait to see the creativity, enthusiasm, and Fredonia spirit throughout our schools next week!
High School
Monday- Pajama Day
Tuesday- Country vs. Country Club
Wednesday- Color Day: Freshmen- Green, Sophomores- Pink, Juniors- Red, Seniors- Blue, Faculty-Black
Thursday- BBQ Dad v Soccer Mom
Friday- Hillbilly Showdown
Middle School
Monday- Pajama Day
Tuesday- Country vs. Country Club
Wednesday - Color Day: 5th- Green, 6th - Pink, 7th -Red, 8th - Blue
Thursday - Tie-dye
Friday - Hillbilly Showdown
Elementary School
Monday - Favorite Jersey/Sports Team Attire
Tuesday - Colorful (Tie-dye, Rainbow, or Hawaiian)
Wednesday - Courage for Carter
Thursday - Hat Day
Friday - Orange & Black
Wheelock
Monday - Favorite Jersey/Sports Team Attire
Friday - Orange & Black
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
*Courtesy Post*
The Accessible 5K at Nazareth University is a fully inclusive event designed for families, individuals living with disabilities, walkers, runners, and competitive athletes.
The Go Shawn Go Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is proud to partner with Nazareth University's Physical Therapy Department and Yellow Jacket Racing to bring this event to our community.
Participants will enjoy a professionally timed, fully accessible 5K course while also having the opportunity to test ride mobility chairs, scooters, and outdoor mobility chairs.
Event Includes:
Toddler 100-Meter Roll, Walk & Run Fun Loop
Kids 400-Meter Roll, Walk & Run Adventure
Family 1-Mile Roll, Walk & Run Together
Fully Accessible Timed 5K Roll, Walk & Run
Adaptive Mobility Test Ride Experience
All distances are designed to be welcoming, inclusive, and accessible. Participants can roll, walk, run, or move in the way that works best for them.
Learn more and/or register today: https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/Rochester/TheAccessible5K
Download the flyer here: https://aptg.co/xQQ9Ys
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
PAIGE BERNHARDT
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
CTE Middle School
Where did you attend high school? College?
Buffalo State University
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Baking, camping, and adventuring outdoors with my dog.
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Bills
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
As a new CTE teacher, I’m excited to introduce students to different career pathways through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. I look forward to helping students discover their interests, build new skills, and make connections to their futures.
What would you like our community to know about you?
I’m excited to be part of the Fredonia community and begin my journey as a CTE teacher. I’m passionate about creating hands-on learning experiences that help students discover their strengths, explore future opportunities, and build skills they can use beyond the classroom.
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
PATRICIA NOEL
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
7th grade Science in the middle school
Where did you attend high school? College?
Churchville-Chili HS, Gannon University, Auburn University (Grad School)
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Hiking, Reading, Spending time with my family
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Auburn Tigers
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I am excited to work with the wonderful students and teachers that I have met so far in Fredonia.
What would you like our community to know about you?
I have taught science for over 15 years, and I am the daughter of a long-time middle school educator. I look forward to bringing my enthusiasm for science to Fredonia Middle School.
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
KAYLA ORBAKER
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
Spanish at the Middle & High School
Where did you attend high school? College?
High School- Falconer College- Roberts Wesleyan Masters- SUNY Fredonia
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Some of my favorite things include reading, decorating cakes, being outdoors, spending time with my family, exploring new places, and learning about different cultures through music.
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
I don’t have any!
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I can’t wait to share my love of language and culture with my students. I am excited to learn from this group of educators and share my own ideas with them!
What would you like our community to know about you?
I am always looking for new ways to grow and improve, both as an educator and personally. I am really looking forward to getting to know my students, colleagues, and the Fredonia community!
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
CAYLA JENKINS
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
Special Education 6:1:1 room at the Elementary School
Where did you attend high school? College?
I went to high school at Lake Shore CSD and attended college at SUNY Brockport
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
I love to read and go golfing!
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Bills!
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I am most excited to build connections with my students and see how much they grow throughout the school year. I'm also excited to create a fun and welcoming classroom and growing as a teacher alongside my students!
What would you like our community to know about you?
I'm very excited to be a part of Fredonia CSD and look forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff!
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
ELIZABETH KOWALSKI
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
7 Grade Math, Middle School
Where did you attend high school? College?
Maryvale High School, Canisius College
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Dancing, Watching Football, Hanging out with my family, anything involving Disney!
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Bills and Sabres
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I am very excited to meet all my new students and share my love of math. I’m looking forward to making math meaningful and engaging while helping my students build confidence in their abilities. As a new teacher at Fredonia Middle School, I’m also excited to learn, grow, and become part of the school community.
What would you like our community to know about you?
I have been teaching for 16 years in various districts. I have taught math to students in grades 3rd through high school. I am very passionate about getting all students to succeed in math. I also love the Bills so much, and my dream is to meet Josh Allen and Dawson Knox!
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
LAURA BURNSIDE
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
School Psychologist - Elementary/Wheelock
Where did you attend high school? College?
Fredonia High School/SUNY Geneseo undergrad/University at Buffalo grad school
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Golf league with my husband, Shopping/Thrifting, Reading, Spending time with friends and family
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Buffalo Bills
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I am so excited to be returning to my home district to support our youngest learners!
What would you like our community to know about you?
I am in my 20th year as a school psychologist. I am a Fredonia graduate and parent to two middle schoolers in the district. Proud to be a Hillbilly!
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
HANNAH RICH
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
Chorus/General Music, Middle School
Where did you attend high school? College?
Webster Thomas High School, SUNY Fredonia
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Traveling, exercising, and baking
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Buffalo Bills
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
This year, I am most excited to connect with students, colleagues, and families. I can’t wait to make and share some wonderful music together!
What would you like our community to know about you?
I love meeting new people! If you recognize me in/out of school, please introduce yourself! I feel very grateful to be beginning my career in such a welcoming district and community, and can’t wait to meet everyone.
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
JOHN FELDMANN
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
Speech Therapy at Fredonia Elementary
Where did you attend high school? College?
I attended Silver Creek High School and Fredonia State for my undergraduate and graduate programs
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
I love to read, bake, travel, play the piano, and love to be active outside- hike, kayak, snowboard
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Football- The Buffalo Bills, Soccer- Manchester United
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I'm very excited to start working in the Fredonia school district. Most of my professional career until now was in healthcare, working with adult patients. So I am excited for the change to the school district, working with children, and to use therapy skills that I did not use in that setting.
What would you like our community to know about you?
I have many fond memories from my time at Fredonia State and look forward to making many new memories in the community now that I am working at Fredonia Elementary.
Happy Labor Day to all of our hard-working Fredonia families!
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
AJAY CYBULSKI
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
2nd grade/Fredonia Elementary
Where did you attend high school? College?
Lake Shore High School | SUNY Brockport for Sport Management and Communications | Masters in Elementary Education from SUNY Buffalo State
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Working out, rating chicken wings, reading, enjoying time with friends and family, mens league sports, watching sports
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Diehard Bills and Sabres fan
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I am most excited about growing with my class and making an impact on each student. I also look forward to creating memories that will always make me appreciate my first year at Fredonia.
What would you like our community to know about you?
I would like the community to know that I am committed to being a difference-maker at Fredonia. Also, I want the community to know that I will find the best chicken wing in Fredonia, and I am open to recommendations!
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
DAWN STEWART
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
Family and Consumer Science/CTE, Fredonia Middle
Where did you attend high school? College?
Lancaster High School/ Buffalo State University
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
Reading and Crafting
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
Buffalo Bills
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
Getting to know the students and teaching them life skills that they will use throughout their life.
What would you like our community to know about you?
I have been teaching life skills for the past 12 years, helping others develop the confidence, knowledge, and practical skills they need to navigate everyday life. I am also a proud mother of two adult children, an experience that has taught me the importance of patience, resilience, compassion, and lifelong learning.
The Board of Education will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Library.
NEW FACES AT FREDONIA
ELIZABETH NAU
What subject will you be teaching and at which school?
12:1:1 Special Education 1st Grade Elementary
Where did you attend high school? College?
Lake Shore High School, Keuka College for my Bachelor's and WGU for my Masters
What are your favorite hobbies or activities?
I love to read, watch football, travel, and spend time with my family. I am a big Disney lover so I also enjoy visiting Disney!
Do you have a favorite sports team(s)?
The Buffalo Bills!
What are you most excited about for this coming school year?
I am most excited to help students grow and learn while also learning from them myself. I am excited to create a positive learning environment full of fun.
What would you like our community to know about you?
I am a new teacher, but I have lots of ideas and plans! I was a TA before this position, and I have learned a lot from that experience and can't wait to bring that knowledge into my classroom.
Two days down, and the 2026–27 school year is officially underway!
It may have been a short first week, but our schools were filled with plenty of smiles, learning, laughter, and excitement as students and staff settled back into their routines.
For our youngest learners, these first days mark the beginning of another year of discovering, growing, and making memories. And for the Class of 2027, they mark the beginning of one very special final year at Fredonia.
From our elementary classrooms to our seniors, we loved seeing our Hillbillies back together again.
Here’s to a great start — and to all the moments still to come this year!
