SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for April 18, 2024
- SPOTLIGHT -
Cabinet Column - Enhancing Academic and Social-Emotional Growth
Read about the insights from these progress reports and view the progress reports by grade in this Cabinet Column by FPS Associate Superintendent Missy Eidsness.
Feature Column - Dakota Family Literacy Course
Read more about the Family Literacy course and see reactions from students in this Feature Column by the Family Literacy Team.
- NEWSMAKERS -
City of Fargo MATBUS Art Contest
Congratulations to Ben Franklin Middle School seventh grader Kaylee Trana on winning a City of Fargo contest to have her original artwork selected to appear on a local MATBUS bus! Students were encouraged to create artwork with the theme of environmental stewardship and climate resiliency.
Trana's submission featured the slogan "Far 'Go' Green" and featured red pandas, a well-known feature of the Red River Zoo, enjoying the city and its environment. Her artwork will appear on a MATBUS bus for one year and she will receive $500. Fargo Public Schools Virtual Academy ninth grader Mya Houston placed second and will receive $300.
Math Masters
Congratulations to the Fargo Public Schools fifth grade teams and individual competitors on placing at the 2024 Math Masters competition! Students and teams from Eagles, Kennedy, Lewis & Clark, and Clara Barton elementary schools competed in the 2024 competition, which was held on Friday, April 12. Read the results from the FPS contestants.
NIAAA Certified Athletic Director
Congratulations to Discovery Middle School Assistant Principal Brandon Larson on being recognized as a National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Certified Athletic Director! To earn this distinction, Larson has demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. The certification process included a thorough evaluation of his educational background, experience, and professional contributions, as well as a written examination.
Celebrating Excellence in North Dakota Education
Jefferson Elementary School Instructional Coach Angie Hansen-Cook has been selected for recognition as part of the new "Celebrating Excellence in North Dakota Education" initiative by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. Hansen-Cook will attend an awards ceremony in May at the North Dakota State Capitol.
- YOUR FPS -
Self-Directed Academy Registration
Registration for the Fargo Public Schools Self-Directed Academy, opening next fall for students in Grades 6-8, is now open.
The Self-Directed Academy puts each student in the driver's seat of their own education. With an instructional model built on self-paced learning, flexible scheduling, technology integration, STEM focus, and project-based learning, students determine their own educational path with guidance from educators serving as learning mentors who understand their needs and tailor supports to each individual. The Self-Directed Academy is best-suited for independent learners who benefit from in-person contact.
The Self-Directed Academy will be housed at the Agassiz Building with bussing available for all students from their home middle school. Visit the Self-Directed Academy webpage to learn more about the Self-Directed Academy.
Early Release Day - Tomorrow
Fargo Public Schools will release students two hours early from school tomorrow, Friday, April 19. Contact your school for more information regarding early release days and how they will affect your child's schedule
No School - Monday
There will be NO SCHOOL next Monday, April 22 due to a scheduled day off. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, April 23.
Kindergarten Registration
Going to kindergarten is important for children. It helps them build upon all the learning that they have done so far. In kindergarten, children will learn skills they will build on throughout their formal education and throughout life. It is important to register early to allow FPS enough time to plan ahead for the school year to give students the best experience possible.
Kindergarten Registration for Fargo Public Schools is now open online. If your child turns 5 by July 31, 2024, they are eligible to attend school in the fall. Visit fargo.k12.nd.us/registration to learn more about the registration process.
FPS is Hiring
Join the Fargo Public Schools team and make a difference! Fargo Public Schools is now hiring an Automotive Technology teacher at South High School; a FACS teacher at North High School; STEM teachers at Discovery Middle School and Ben Franklin Middle School; and more. Click here to view open positions and apply.
Summer School
Registration for Fargo Public Schools' Summer School 2024 is open. FPS Summer School offers opportunities for students from elementary through high school to participate in programs focused on academics, athletics, arts, and more. View Fargo Public Schools' Summer School 2024 offerings.
Trollwood Summer Registration
Expect the Unexpected! Experience magic, explore passion, and expand potential at Trollwood Performing Arts School with summer 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. See the full list of Trollwood summer programming in this newsletter special edition.
- FEATURE -
North Dakota Supreme Court at South High School
South High School students got a firsthand look at the work of the judicial branch and saw how cases are decided as the North Dakota Supreme Court visited the school on Thursday as part of the “Taking the Court to Schools” education outreach program.
All junior and senior students at South were invited to attend as the North Dakota Supreme Court held oral arguments for a real case in the South High School theater.
Before the oral arguments, the Justices met with Advanced Placement Government and Advanced Placement English students to speak with them about their work. After the oral arguments, they participated in a question-and-answer session, wherein students asked questions about the process of hearing a case.
- COMMUNITY -
Summer EBT
This summer, North Dakota is launching Summer EBT, a new grocery benefits program that provides $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries while school is out. Most families will get these benefits automatically, but some parents will need to apply. The new program is in addition to free meals that kids of all ages can get at summer meal sites in their communities.
Households already participating in SNAP, FDPIR, or TANF, they will be automatically enrolled in the Summer EBT program. Households not automatically enrolled and may be eligible, they can apply for Summer EBT by filling out a simple application. Learn more and apply on the Summer EBT Portal.
- BOARD FOCUS -
Board Column - Governmental Affairs Committee Update
The Governmental Affairs Committee for the 2023-2024 term has completed its work plan for the year. After monitoring interim activity and collaborating with District Counsel, the committee has drafted three legislative resolutions that will be submitted to the Board for consideration in July.
Read more about each of these three resolutions in this Board Column by Fargo Board of Education Member Robin Nelson.
- IN FOCUS -
Nancy Carlson Visit
Minnesota-based children's author and illustrator Nancy Carlson visited eight Fargo Public Schools elementary schools. The creator of more than 60 books. discussed how she gets the ideas for her stories, her career path in the publishing industry, and her writing and illustrating process. She also taught the students to use their imagination to create their own characters an draw settings for their stories. (Photo courtesy Brenda Cain)
New StoryWalk Story
Fourth graders at Ed Clapp Elementary School helped install the pages for a new StoryWalk story. The new story is "Something, Someday" by Amanda Gorman, which was used as a school-wide read aloud that connected with a student hand print mural. Tools and work gloves were donated by Scheels Home and Hardware. (Photo courtesy Matt Evensen)
Peer Mentors
Discovery Middle School eighth grade students in Mrs. Kerr's peer mentor program are paired with learners of all abilities within various resource classes. These mentors work alongside their mentees and assist them in academics, social activities, games, and completing daily tasks. They provide ongoing support to the mentees and build relationships that can last through their school journey and beyond. (Photo courtesy Karlie Kerr)
NDSA Encouragement
Ed Clapp Elementary third, fourth, and fifth grade students received some encouragement as they walked through the halls to kick off NDSA testing. The kindergarten, first, and second grade students and staff cheered for them and shouted words of encouragement, such as, "You can do hard things" and "You are stronger than the test!" (Photo courtesy Jennifer Schuldheisz)
Trash Clean Up
Sigurd Johnson Visit
Ben Franklin Middle School's eighth grade band got a visit from guest conductor Dr. Sigurd Johnson from North Dakota State University on April 4. The guest conductor helped them refine their skills and reach a higher musical level ahead of their performance at the Big Floody Band Festival. The band is under the direction of Andrew Roob and Kirstin Carlson. (Photo courtesy Kirstin Carlson)
Marathon Clap-Out
Jefferson Elementary School students and staff showed their support for first grade teacher Haylee Hastad ahead of her departure to run in the Boston Marathon. They held a clap-out for her and held up signs wishing her luck in the race. (Photo courtesy Beth Olson)
Hawkeye's Bookworms
Eagles Elementary School students got a special visit from Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks mascot Hawkeye to congratulate them on meeting their reading goals. Eagles participated in the "Hawkeye's Bookworms" program to encourage students to read with fun prizes, community support, and exciting theme reads. (Photo courtesy Dr. Jennifer Jung)
NDSU Pharmacy
Members of the North Dakota State University pharmacy department visited Washington Elementary School to discuss the program and lead a science project. The students participated in a project to formulate their own lotion. (Photo courtesy Rehan Amedi)
- IN THE NEWS -
Fargo Public Schools - SchoolTalk
Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000