BRUIN BRIEFING

Dear Fargo South Families,

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, it's an excellent time to reflect on the progress our students have achieved and look for ways to further support their academic success in the second semester. It’s also a great time to reflect on our progress towards our goal of increasing the number of students who qualify as choice ready. Attendance is one criteria for establishing choice ready status. One of the key factors impacting student success is consistent school attendance. We know that students who attend school regularly are more likely to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Encouraging students to maintain good attendance habits is essential for their continued growth, and we ask that you continue to support us in reminding your child of how valuable each school day is.

Because of the imperative need for students to be in class, our team is working hard to figure out a support system that addresses the attendance concerns that are prevalent at FSHS while also rewarding those students who are doing well with attending their classes.. Your help and understanding the importance of students being in class is greatly appreciated. We have implemented a reward program this semester that captures data on students’ attendance and random drawings for gift cards are being conducted to encourage students to pay attention to their attendance.

As part of our planning to improve attendance in a more long term sustainable way, our team is working on significant changes in how we respond to absences. We are proposing the creation of a system that will be incorporated into the 2025-26 school year. Our system will include both rewards and consequences for various attendance thresholds. Some of the changes will include improved parent/guardian communication and will provide support for our students who are struggling with attending school, it will include academic support and social/emotional support. This system could impact how open campus privileges are allowed next year so please be looking out for more information about the changes beginning in 2025-26.

These efforts are all in line with our building goal of increasing the number of students who are choice ready. Choice ready is highly connected to academic achievement and academic achievement is highly connected to consistent attendance. Again, your help and understanding of how we can support students to positively impact their success is greatly appreciated.

Also, To further support our students, we’re proud to highlight our **Morning Support BAM Time** (Bruins Achieving More). This dedicated time provides students with an opportunity to focus on unfinished work, retake tests, receive extra help from teachers, and strengthen their study skills. Our goal with BAM Time is to ensure that every student has the resources they need to succeed academically, no matter their learning style or the challenges they may face. If anxiety or assignments are weighing on them, BAM Time can be that space for students to find clarity and build confidence in their abilities. Together, let’s keep our students motivated, engaged, and present for the remainder of the school year.

An additional layer of academic support we provide is through our quarterly proficiency days. Students who attend the proficiency days are showing a significant increase in their academic achievement in their classes. . Proficiency days are another valuable time for students to work 1:1 with instructors to improve their understanding of the content in each class. The problem is that too many students are waiting until the end of the quarter to get the help they need. That is why the frequent use of the BAM time can be helpful during the course of the quarter. The bottom line is that we are here to help all students achieve, so please reach out if you have any questions regarding the various ways FSHS can provide support.

Thank you for continuing to be amazing partners in supporting our efforts in promoting academic success and in supporting our students in being Choice Ready!

Warm regards,

Kristi Brandt

Principal, Fargo South High School

Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, April 1st from 4:00 - 8:00.

Teachers will meet with parents in their classrooms. Please bring a copy of you student’s teachers.

We share a number of traveling teachers with other schools and their conference times are listed below.

Career & Summer Jobs Fair

Are you a student looking for summer employment or a high school senior who plans to enter the workforce, military, or postsecondary training programs after graduation? On Tuesday, April 1st from 5pm – 7pm South High School will be holding a career and summer job fair. This event will be held in C30 and the north foyer of South High School. The career and summer job fair gives students the opportunity to learn more about a variety of career pathways and summer employment opportunities. During this event, participating businesses will highlight available opportunities, provide employment information, and screen potential candidates.

Please see Career Center bulletin board for updates on attending employers. Come dressed to impress and bring a pen! Keep your eyes open for a resume workshop to help you before this event. What a great way to impress an employer! Please see Ms. Koppy in the College and Career Center with any questions.

My name is Brittney, and this is my 3rd year at Fargo South as the Social Worker. This year, my role looks a little different. My formal title is now the Communities in School (CIS) Site Coordinator. Some of what I do stays the same for, example providing support for students who might be struggling with their mental health and helping find community resources for students and their families. Here are some of the new things Communities In Schools entails! I started this year by conducting an in-depth school assessment including 15 pages of qualitative and quantitative data about South and the Fargo community. From this assessment, Mrs. Brandt and I determined truancy is a huge challenge for some of our students. To help students struggling with trancey, I created a South High support plan including several supports I will be implementing to help students, staff, and families address truancy issues. This includes increasing communication home to families, starting small groups for students, and incentives for students who have good or improving attendance. Throughout the year, my team members and I will be monitoring the impact of supports with the hope of reaching my goal of decreasing truancy by the end of the school year! As you may suspect, this is a huge task and I’m always on the go! If you would like more information on what I do or resources on how to support you student, please contact me at 701-446-2018 engelhb@fargo.k12.nd.us

Fargo Public Schools will release students two hours early from school on February 14 to support the professional development of teachers. The last release days for the school year is March 14.

The early release days allow teachers to gather in an extended Professional Learning Community (PLC) to focus on the students they serve this school year. During these early release days, teachers will analyze data and plan lessons to support students who have yet to grasp current standards and challenge students who have.

The district is committed to providing high-quality education for all students and believes investing in teacher professional development is critical to achieving this goal. By providing teachers with dedicated time to collaborate and learn from one another, Fargo Public Schools is taking an important step toward improving student learning outcomes.

FPS understands that early release days may cause some inconveniences for parents and guardians. However, this is an important step towards improving our teaching practices and benefiting our students' learning outcomes.

Parents are encouraged to contact the school for more information about the early release days and how they will affect their child's schedule. Students will have the opportunity for both breakfast and lunch on the early release days.

The season of winter storms is upon us, and I want to reaffirm our mutual commitment to the safety of your school children. We maintain close communication with the U.S. Weather Service. When storm conditions develop, we must make the decision as to whether school will be held or not. This decision is based on the general conditions which exist for the majority of Fargo students. Weather conditions and distance to school will vary however, and parents should use their own judgment in determining if the weather is suitable for their children to make the journey to school on any particular day. If school is in session and it is your decision that your child should remain at home, that decision will be respected by the school.

If school is called off, the local radio and television stations will be notified as early as possible. School closing notices will also be posted on the internet via FPS and the weather section of In-Forum. In addition, you should receive communication from the district office with the information. If storm conditions develop during the day and it is determined that an early dismissal is in the best interest of the students, the media will be notified and principals will proceed with an orderly dismissal. Elementary principals will dismiss students consistent with the instructions provided by parents on the emergency/weather school closing form.

If it is announced that school will be starting late, we will begin the school day at 10:35. Students will report to their period 3 upon arrival.

We appreciate your continued cooperation and understanding in this important matter. Be assured that the well-being of your children is of utmost importance to us.

1st Semester

June 10 - July 2

2nd Semester

July 7- 29

PE classes are June 10 - July 29

Vacation June 19 and July 3 & 4

Registration begins February 1st.

Contact your school Counselor for more information.

Graduation Practice

Thursday, June 5

2:45PM @ FargoDome

Graduation Ceremony

Sunday, June 8

3:00PM @ FargoDome

4 credits of English

• English 1 or Honors English 1
• English 2 or Honors English 2
• English 3 or AP English 3 Lang/Comp
• English 4 or AP English 4 Lit/Comp

3 credits of Math

• Algebra 1 or Algebra 1-Intro/Conclusion
• Geometry or Informal Geometry
• Additional Math beyond Geometry

3 credits of Science

• Physical Science
• Biology
• Additional Science

3 credits of Social Studies

• Western Civilization/AP European History
• US History/AP US History
• Economics/AP Economics
• Government/AP Government

0.5 credit Physical Education

0.5 credits Health

3 Credits of World Language, Fine Arts, or Career and Tech Ed.

5 credits of Elective classes

Pass the Civics Test

22 total credits

Nearly every day new scholarship opportunities arrive at South High. Students and parents should recognize that there are a wide variety of criteria used to award scholarship dollars. These include, but are not limited to: financial need, community service, extra co-curricular activities, academic ability, talents/interests, ethnicity, military affiliation, apprenticeship, and 2-year schools.

Where do I look?

South High Resources:

Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/south

• Click on Counseling Center
• Click on Scholarships
• Scholarship listings are also posted in the Career Center and on the website regularly

Outside Resources

• Internet (see a listing of other websites in the counseling center)
• Books
• Businesses
• Organizations
• School you plan to attend (admissions or financial aid office)

Applications for scholarships are usually online; others can be found in the Career Center. Timelines and deadlines for scholarships vary, please watch them closely.

SEE YOUR COUNSELOR for more information!

North Dakota Scholarship

The North Dakota Scholarship aims to align scholarship requirements to the Choice Ready initiative. One thing to keep in mind is that the requirements will align to Choice Ready, but are more rigorous than what is required for Choice Ready. The North Dakota Scholarship is worth $6,000 and can be used at approved colleges, universities, professional schools, and registered apprenticeship programs in North Dakota. Find more information here: https://www.nd.gov/dpi/familiescommunity/students/north-dakota-scholarship Deadline: June 1

Here is information about the section in newsletter about the Scholarships:

Scholarships for High School Seniors at South High School – many available now!

SCHOLARSHIPS ADDED – Act now!

NOTE: Check our South High Student Services website weekly for additional updates. Many added just for South High School Seniors – deadline March 31, 2025. Follow this QR Code or this link: https://south.fargo.k12.nd.us/student-services/scholarship-opportunities

*Be sure to visit the scholarship and financial aid websites for the colleges you're applying to as they may have scholarships available directly through them.

ND A+ testing for sophomores April 15th and 16th.

The ACT is a college entrance tests required by most 4 year colleges. Students should check with the specific schools they plan to apply to for the test needed. These tests are generally taken during the latter part of a student’s junior year and during senior year.

South High School Code: 350-565

ACT Fee: $63.00

ACT with Writing: $93.00

Late Registration—add $36.00

website - act.org

The WorkKeys assessments are designed to allow students to demonstrate work readiness in the areas of Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. Students who score well may be eligible for a National Career Readiness Certificate. Students who score five (5) of higher on all three WorkKeys tests will have fulfilled one of the requirements for the North Dakota Career and Technical Education Scholarship worth up to $6,000. Talk to your counselor to see if you qualify! The date for the WorkKeys is April 24, 2025. The cost for all three tests is $37.50. Additional information about WorkKeys is available at: http://www.act.org/workkeys/index.html.

If students qualify for the free lunch program, there are opportunities available for him/her to receive fee waivers or cost reductions for some events. These may include fee waivers for ACT/SAT/PSAT exams; reduced price for AP exams; scholarships for ZAPS workshops. Please check with your counselor to make sure students access these opportunities.

High School sophomores, juniors, and seniors can now process transcript requests electronically through eTranscripts. Students request their transcript securely and at their convenience through their PowerSchool account.

1. Students log into their PowerSchool account and click on the icon with the arrow/box

2. Click ND Education Portal

3. Click tab with student’s name

4. Send Transcript

5. Choose college transcript needs to go to

Please allow 2 days for approval. If you have any questions, please stop by the Counseling Office or call Beth Phillips @ 446-2015.

Near perfect attendance is important because students are more likely to succeed in academics when school is attended consistently. If a student is recorded as being truant (unexcused absence) or is late to class, a detention will be assigned for each period of truancy and every third tardy.

An entry will be made in PowerSchool that will identify the date and period that the detention was earned. To access detention information, login to your PowerSchool account. There you will see the current detentions and how many have carried over from previous year(s).

At South High School, detention can be served Monday – Friday from 7:50am – 8:25am or Saturday mornings from 9:00—Noon. Detentions will be expected to be served within one week of the unexcused absence(s). Failure to complete assigned detentions, will limit a student’s ability to participate in extracurricular activities (athletic and nonathletic) and participate in graduation ceremonies. If you have any questions talk to your assigned administrator.

Every graduating senior is allowed to submit a portrait photo to be used as their picture in the South High Yearbook. This photo must follow the guidelines and rules from school policy, dress code, and law. Not following these guidelines will result in the photo not being allowed in the yearbook and the student will be asked to submit a different photo.

1. Subjects including promoting the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, drug paraphernalia, guns, weapons, or depiction of violence may not be worn or shown in the photo.
2. Photos with accessories (i.e. hats, scarves, jewelry), props (i.e. sports equipment, musical instruments, cars), and domesticated pets are allowed as long as they do not promote or condone illegal activity.
3. The subject of the photo should be the student, not the props or background. (Yearbook staff prefers head and shoulder photos.)

Photos may be edited or not published if they represent or include any of the following:

• Violating school policies and behavior codes
• Displays of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, or weapons of any kind
• Inappropriate gestures, facial expressions, postures, or hand gestures
• Revealing, suggestive, or obscene clothing

All photos submitted must conform to school standards and policies and if needed, may be subject to review or approval by, but not limited to the yearbook staff, the yearbook advisor, and the school administration.

The yearbook staff reserves the right to edit or deny any submitted photo for publication and printing in the book.

The yearbook is a school publication, supervised by a student media advisor, and shall be reviewed by an administrator if the publication goes against school policy. (NDCC Ch. 15.1-19-25)

Digital Photo Requirements:

All photos must be at 300 dpi in resolution and at least 1.5 by 2 inches in size. Pictures need to be saved as a JPG file. Photos files must be named with the senior’s legal last name and then the legal first name (ex: Smith_William.jpg)

Senior Pictures were due January 31, 2025. Seniors can submit either a color or black and white picture. We suggest a face shot if possible and all photos must be portrait (vertical). Senior pictures must meet the requirements to be in the South Yearbook.

Pictures should be digital. Senior pictures can be emailed to fshyearbook@fargoschools.org.

• A late fee of $10 will be charged to any senior picture received after January 31.
• Senior pictures will not be accepted after March 1.

Thank you for your cooperation; we are working hard to make sure that all seniors are included in the 2025 Yearbook.

Reminder! Don’t forget to purchase your 2024-25 yearbook. Only $60.00. You can do this by logging into your School Pay account.

Don’t miss out on your memories of Fargo South High School.

Grad Ads for the 2025 Yearbook will be sold December 1-March 31 (no exceptions). Order form and payment must be received to reserve your Grad Ad. We encourage ads that feature your senior in his/her younger years. We also encourage parents to consider sharing an ad with a group of seniors, like "Jazz Band Buddies". The order form is listed below that includes sizes and prices. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Monsen @ fshyearbook@fargoschools.org.

April 26th

Prom theme: Glam Up Gatsby Style

Post Prom tickets included with the purchase of Prom Tickets.
Grand March starts at 7:00PM

More information to follow -

For Junior and Senior Students and their dates. All detentions must be served before you can purchase your tickets.

February 24

Girls Track - 3:50pm Arena

Coach: Michael Grant 701-446-1743

grantm@fargo.k12.nd.us

Boys Track – 3:45pm Wrestling Room

Coach: Alex Koppy 320-291-2258

koppya@fargo.k12.nd.us

March 17

Baseball 6:00pm South High Gym

Coach: Nathan Sillerud 218-329-7947

sillern@fargo.k12.nd.us

Girls Softball – 9:00am South High Gym

Coach: Paige Sims 701-446-2142

simsp@fargo.k12.nd.us

March 24

Girls Soccer 4:00pm Stadium Field

Coach: Dave Weiler 701-371-7925

weilerd@fargo.k12.nd.us
FargoSouthSoccer.com

March 31

Girls Tennis - 4:00pm Tennis Courts

Coach: Samuel Burns

burnss2@fargo.k12.nd.us

April 7

Boys Golf - TBA

Coach: Kris Gillett 701-446-1835/701-200-4519

gilletk@fargo.k12.nd.us

Sports physicals are required each year, dated April 15, 2024, or later, and are required to be on file with South High trainers before practice is allowed. Physical forms can be found on the FPS website (www.fargo.k12.nd.us). Concussion Verification and HIPPA forms as well as the co-curricular meeting are to be completed online via the parent PowerSchool account (click on Forms).

Congratulations! The following fall activities have qualified for the Team Scholar Award offered by the NDHSAA by obtaining a cumulative team GPA of 3.2 or better. Certificates will be displayed in the trophy cases.

Boys Cross Country - Girls Cross Country

Girls Swim & Dive - Girls Golf

Student Congress - Volleyball

Boys Tennis

GO BRUINS!!

Community Respiratory Virus Transmission

According to North Dakota Health and Human Services “respiratory disease attributed to both influenza, COVID-19, and RSV remains elevated” in North Dakota. Influenza | Department of Health (nd.gov)

To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

1. While sick, stay away from others as much as possible
2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
3. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
4. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
5. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
6. Influenza is a respiratory virus and a seasonal flu vaccine is available to help stop community spread of influenza.

Treatment: What You Need to Know | CDC

Immunizations

Students and parents, please remember that the second meningitis vaccines is due when your child turns 16 years of age and enters the 11th grade. Please bring proof of vaccinations to school to give to the school nurse. Any questions or concerns about vaccines due or vaccine schedules or compliance, please reach out to nurse Christy 701-446-2034.

Fargo South High PTSA Meetings

All meetings are held in the

South High Conference Room @ 6:00 pm

1st Monday of every the Month

March 3 & May 5

Esports is five weeks into its season. We have several teams that should advance to the state tournament at UND on March 28 and 29.

Valorant: Hardstuck

Rocket League: Alpha Centauri, Whiff Kings

League of Legends: Caffiends

Minecraft: Fargo Minecraft

Chess: South KF, South MK, South HH, and South NF

Our other teams (Valorant: Taxi Service; Rocket League: Whiff Kings, Speedsters) will need to improve their records to have a good chance at advancing.

Drone racing will start their preseason matches the week of February 21 with the regular season starting March 7. Done racing matches are completed through a simulator during the season. The pilots also fly our drone during practice as the tournament will have the pilots racing drones both in the simulator and in real life.

We are excited to kick off the 2025 season with our first winter student angler seminar on February 11th at 7 p.m. at the Fargo Scheels training room! We will have a guest panel of experienced student anglers, coaches and professional anglers sharing their experience and insight into their favorite lures and presentations for multiple species. There will be opportunities to ask a lot of questions and find out how you can improve your fishing skills for the 2025 season!

This winter student angler seminar is open to all Lake Agassiz High School Fishing League student anglers, parents and boat captains! If you are not signed up for a Lake Agassiz HS Fishing League team but are interested in finding out more please join us!

This is the first of 4 pre-season informational seminars/meetings that will be held. Stay tuned for more details on these and other 2025 season dates!

For More Information Contact John Dockter @ johnd@iscimaging.com.

Student Council Conference in December

Light up your summer! Spark your creativity, radiate confidence, and focus the spotlight on you at Trollwood Performing Arts School this summer with performing arts classes and performance opportunities for students currently in Grades K-12. Trollwood summer registration is now open.

Trollwood offers a full array of classes, performing opportunities, and technical theater experiences for every skill level, from elementary to middle school to high school. Learn more about Trollwood's summer programming in this special edition of SchoolTalk.

• March 3 – PTSA Meeting – 6:0
• March 14 – Early Out
• March 17-21 - Spring Break - No School
• March 28 - 3rd Quarter Ends
• April 1 – P/T Conferences – 4:00 – 8:00
• April 1 - Mini Career Fair - 5:00 - 7:00PM
• April 10-13 - Play
• April 17 - Storm Makeup Day if needed - otherwise No School
• April 18 – Good Friday – No School
• April 21 - Storm Makeup Day if needed - otherwise No School
• April 26 – Prom
• April 28 - South High Honor Society Induction Ceremony
• May 5 – PTSA Meeting – 6:00
  
• May 5-16 - AP Testing
  
• May 26 – Memorial Day – No School
  
• June 5 – Last Day of School/Proficiency Day
  
• June 5 - Graduation Rehearsal
• June 8 – Graduation – 3:00 @ FARGODOME
  

Kristi Brandt, Principal - (701) 446-2004

Greta Evenson, Asst. Principal (A-K) - (701) 446-2005

Dr. Shannon Mortrud, Asst. Principal (L-Z) - (701) 446-2008

Mike Beaton, Activities Coordinator - (701) 446-2006

Judy Erickson, Administrative Assistant - (701) 446-2010

Donna Lee, Activities Secretary - (701) 446-2011

Kris Haphey, Bookkeeper - (701) 446-2022

Troy Nielsen, SRO - (701) 446-2025

Student Services

Heidi Moritz - (701) 446-2017

Dennis Miller - (701) 446-2019

MJ Andersen - (701) 446-2021

Adrienne Eider - (701) 446-2020

Beth Phillips, Registrar - (701) 446-2015

Jes Rodriguez, Secretary - (701) 446-2016

Brenda Koppy, Career Center - (701) 446-2028

Christy Matlock, School Nurse - (701) 446-2034

Brittney Engelhard, CIS - (701) 446-2018

Good attendance, whether at school or on the job, is very important. If a student must be absent from school, please call Debra Maus @ (701) 446-2023.

Class attendance will be reported daily by period. It is the intent of the attendance secretary to contact parents at home or work the same day by phone to directly report any class(es) that have been reported as absent.

Parents would you remind your students that are leaving school early for ANY reason that they need to pick up their exit pass from the Attendance Secretary. We are not always able to deliver passes in a timely manner. If students are leaving early for an appointment or other reason, they need to pick up their pass prior to their appointment. Also – If your student is going to an appointment dentist, doctor, etc. they need to bring an appointment slip back from the doctor/dentist to attendance when they return to school to have the absence excused for an activity.

Greta Evenson, Asst. Principal

Dr. Shannon Mortrud, Asst. Principal

Mike Beaton, Activities Coordinator

Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/south
Location: South High School, 15th Avenue South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-2000

X (formerly Twitter): @fargosouthhigh