Principal

Let Us Show You The World!

Meet Our Principal

Darren Atkinson

Welcome to the Fairdale Elementary Web site. As you navigate through our site, you will see how our students are prepared to become successful middle school students and productive citizens. Our student population is very diverse, coming from many different countries, speaking many different languages. Students at Fairdale Elementary are exposed to many cultures from which they learn how to interact with many different people.

As part of our International/Cultural Studies and Language Magnet Program, students learn about the world by studying a different continent each year. Within the study, they learn the location, geography, culture and religion of the many countries within that region. A mock United Nations is offered to our students. They elect a student representative from each classroom to participate in our United Nations assemblies, having a voice in many school decisions. Peacekeepers are selected in order to help students in our building, much like the “old” safety patrol. They must exhibit excellent character qualities in order to hold that position.

Fairdale Elementary utilizes practices such as Project Based Learning or Inquiry Based Learning which makes it real and relevant for the student. Every student should and will know why they are learning what they are being taught and how it affects them. Students will take an active role in their learning.

I have been blessed to have been given the opportunity to lead Fairdale Elementary. We have an amazing staff and community which supports every aspect of our students. I hope that my unique background as a Marine helicopter pilot, broker on Wall Street, along with pharmaceutical and surgical sales representative will add to the diverse aspect of our school. You will hear me say time and time again that Fairdale is OUR school. It isn’t my school. We will work TOGETHER to move OUR school forward, preparing OUR students to be academically and socially prepared for any middle school. We thank you for the opportunity to work with your students and appreciate and expect active parental involvement. Together, we will prepare our students to be academically and socially prepared for middle school as well as productive citizens in our society.

Sincerely,

Darren Atkinson
485-8247
Principal

From Mr. Atkinson

CV-19 has opened up a whole different world. I miss seeing and talking and listening to our family. I hope and pray we can look to whatever positive we can find. I hope there are many! When we return I hope everyone remembers this period of time and what doors it opened. Kids, stay engaged with your teachers and WATCH, my hopefully interesting videos on NTI . Life on the farm- Lessons learned. So, both ends of the spectrum, farming and endless knowledge. Internet and technology verses dirt! Stay busy and listen to your parents. We will get through this and move on. If, if, if, we get out and the situation allows, we'll do something for 5th. If time permits and the government says we can!