SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for May 15, 2025
Cabinet Column - 2026-27 School Calendar Finalized
The Fargo Public Schools Calendar Committee met over the course of multiple meetings to develop the 2026–27 school calendar. The committee was comprised of teachers, parents, principals, students, district office representatives, a Fargo Education Association member, support staff, and a School Board member. View the finalized 2026-27 school calendar, which has been approved by the Fargo Board of Education.
Read more about the process of creating the school calendar in this Cabinet Column by Associate Superintendent Dr. Bob Grosz.
Feature Column - Facility Projects Overview for Summer 2025
Read about what to expect as projects commence and get a high-level look at all of this summer's projects in this Feature Column by Facilities Director James Hand.
Best Communities for Music Education
Fargo Public Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education. This award recognizes districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students. FPS has received this award for 16 consecutive years and 22 times overall.
Middle School Band Festival
Fargo Public Schools held the Middle School Band Festival on April 26 at Davies High School. Middle school band students from Fargo Public Schools and West Fargo Public Schools showcased their musical talents and skills. Students performed a solo or ensemble for a judge and receive a rating of Star, I, II, or III. The top-performing events in each room were awarded the Outstanding Performance honor.
The outstanding performances from FPS were:
- Discovery Bassoon Soloist: Mac Campbell
- Discovery Woodwind Trio: Amelia Mattson (flute), Addison Hogstad (clarinet), Haley Ochsner (clarinet)
- Discovery Clarinet Quartet (pictured above): Pyper Frederick (clarinet), Kataleya Baugh (clarinet), Danielle Ebiaboua (clarinet), Royelott Fangah (clarinet)
- Carl Ben Flute Solo: Evalyn Juarez
- Carl Ben Tuba Solo: Lucas From
- Carl Ben Flute Duet: Laynie Kainz and Keren Tamang
- Ben Franklin Flute Solo: Sophia KaiKai
Employee Spotlight - Steffanie Jorgenson
The FPS Human Capital Department wants to shine a spotlight on its valuable employees who have a tremendous positive impact on the District's students, staff, and families. The District's employees are crucial to achieving our goal of educating and empowering all students to succeed. HC has selected FPS staff members who are deserving of greater recognition and will highlight them each week. Meet Clara Barton Hawthorne Counselor Steffanie Jorgenson in this week's Employee Spotlight.
Graduation Ceremony Livestream Links
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2025! Graduation is less than a month away at Fargo Public Schools. To accommodate those who are unable to attend, FPS will livestream graduation ceremonies at these links:
Virtual Academy, June 4 at 6 p.m.
Dakota High School, June 6 at 7 p.m.
North High School, June 8 at noon
South High School, June 8 at 3 p.m.
Davies High School, June 8 at 6 p.m.
Register for Kindergarten Now
Climate and Culture Parent Survey - Closes Monday
We want to hear from you! Help FPS improve how we serve our students and stakeholders by taking our Climate and Culture Parent Survey. The survey data will guide decision making, parent engagement, District and school improvement, and influence Strategic Plan decisions. The survey closes next Monday, May 19.
If you are a parent of a student enrolled in FPS, please click here to complete this survey. You may complete the survey for each student enrolled at FPS. The survey is anonymous and demographic data is optional.
Trollwood Summer Registration
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.
Sheds for Sale
Sheds built by students at Davies High School are for sale. The sheds are 10 feet by 12 feet and are $2,100 for the barn style and $2,600 for the gable style. Buyers are responsible for pick up by June 15. To purchase a shed, contact Idette Graham at 701.446.1040 or grahami@fargo.k12.nd.us.
Fargo Public Library Events
The Fargo Public Library has several events coming up for kids and teens, including Intro to Geocaching on May 17 at the Northport Library; the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge with the theme "Color our World"; and the Northern Focus Photography Project for Teens accepting entries through May 31. The library is also accepting applications through this Friday, May 16 to be a Super Teen volunteer for the summer, helping staff run library programs. Visit the Fargo Public Library website for more information about these events and more.
School Board Schedule & Links
The Board of Education of the City of Fargo meets in regular session on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, beginning at 5:30 p.m. To find Board meeting agendas and schedules, a broadcast link, an archive of past meetings, and more, visit the Board of Education webpages on the FPS website.
Read the Board Briefs from the May 13 regular meeting of the School Board.
Walk, Bike & Roll
Nurse Dress-Up
The members of the South High School student services team aren't nurses, they just play them on TV. The team dressed up in medical gear last week to celebrate National Nurse's Week and surprise Christy Matlock, the school nurse. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Eider)
Seesaw Ambassadors
This year's Seesaw Ambassadors took a group photo to celebrate the coming end of the school year. The Ambassadors are leaders for their schools in the use of Seesaw. They take additional training, provide peer support, create lessons that are moving toward using technology in a transformational way and share great lessons with their colleagues. (Photo courtesy Brenda Cain)
Assembly Line
Students in South High School's Intro to Engineering class recently stepped into the world of manufacturing by creating their own assembly line. Each team built specialized “cells” to simulate a real-world production process — complete with stamping, drilling, and cutting operations. This hands-on project helped students understand the importance of workflow, precision, and teamwork. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Eider)
Vietnam Veterans
Fargo North High School juniors recently had the opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of the Vietnam War from local veterans who served during the conflict. As part of their U.S. History curriculum, students welcomed several Vietnam veterans into their classrooms to share personal stories, reflections, and perspectives on their time in service. (Photo courtesy Zach Hochhalter)
Flicker Tale Challenge
Twenty-five students and staff at Discovery Middle School completed the Flicker Tale Challenge by reading all four books nominated for the North Dakota Library Association's Flicker Tale Award. They celebrated with donuts and discussion of the books. The award gives librarians and readers the opportunity to vote on their favorite read. (Photo courtesy Patricia Donat)
Golf Record
Davies High School boys golf team celebrated Porter Seidel, who set a new school record for lowest round as he placed first at the Valley City Invitational on May 8. He shot a six-under par 66 to set the record. (Photo courtesy Kaity Dalzell)
Learning CPR
South High School health science students learned how to perform CPR from Health Science Teacher Heide Horne, who is a CPR instructor. Health Science 1 students learned adult and child CPR, while Health Science 2 students learned adult, child, and infant CPR. (Photo courtesy Heidi Horne)
Kick it to Cancer
The Davies High School girls soccer team raised $838 during the Kick it to Cancer soccer game against North High School. The funds will be donated to the Roger Maris Cancer Center. The game was played in memory of Jeff McKinnon, the father of Davies player Meritt McKinnon. (Photo courtesy Erin Gigstad)
Demo Day
Construction students from South High School participated in Demo Day, a hands-on event hosted by The Associated General Contractors of North Dakota and the North Dakota Construction Leadership Council. Students operated heavy equipment and observed demonstrations of modern survey tools and cutting-edge construction technology. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Eider)
Principal Recognition
Virtual Academy students recognized their principal, Mrs. Fiechtner, for her dedication to the school at the Virtual Academy Awards Ceremony on May 5. They presented her a card and a bouquet of flowers. (Photo courtesy Vanessa Boehm)
Ed Clapp is 10
Ed Clapp Elementary School celebrated turning 10 years old with a special installation on the school's StoryWalk. After reading the story "Ten Beautiful Things" by Molly Beth Griffin, students and staff were asked to illustrate on thing they thought made Ed Clapp special. The pictures will be on display in the StoryWalk through the end of the school year. (Photo courtesy Matthew Evensen)
VA Awards
Virtual Academy held its second annual awards celebration on May 5. Students were recognized for academic achievements as well as excellence in leadership, service, and the arts. Qualifying students were inducted into National Honor Society and seniors received their honor cords. Several seniors were surprised with scholarship announcements. (Photo courtesy Vanessa Boehm)
Roundup Helpers
Centennial Elementary School fifth graders volunteered at the school's Kindergarten Roundup. The students paired up and tended tables at scavenger hunt locations for the kindergarteners to find. They then answered any questions the incoming kindergarteners had. (Photo courtesy Chris Hayden)
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