As Thanksgiving draws near, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the people who bring our schools to life every day. Chief Human Capital Officer Dr. Jeff McCanna expresses his deepest gratitude not only for the incredible FPS team but also for the parents and families who stand alongside it, supporting the District's schools and their children.

Read more about the hard work and dedication of the FPS team and how to show appreciation for FPS employees in this Cabinet Column by Dr. McCanna.

This week, we join schools across the country in celebrating National School Psychology Week, an annual opportunity to recognize the vital contributions of our school psychologists. This year’s theme, “Spark Discovery,” highlights how school psychologists use their expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior to ignite curiosity, inspire learning, and empower students to explore new possibilities.

Our dedicated school psychologists at Fargo Public Schools are not only crucial to helping students thrive academically but are also essential in fostering safe and supportive environments that promote social, emotional, and behavioral growth. They reduce barriers and promote educational justice, guiding students on journeys of self-discovery and success.

Please join us this week in celebrating the commitment, creativity, and tireless efforts of our school psychologists. Their passionate work makes a lasting impact on our schools and communities, ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and supported.

Congratulations to South High School Assistant Principal Dr. Shannon Mortrud on being named the Region VI Assistant Principal of the Year! With the award, Mortrud will now be considered for the North Dakota Assistant Principal of the Year Award.

Congratulations to Explorer Academy Teacher Tyler Hetland on being named the ND SHAPE Adapted Teacher of the Year for 2024! Explorer Academy staff and students, along with Hetland’s wife Amanda and daughter Teagan, surprised him with a celebration of his accomplishments during an all school assembly in late October. Click here to view an article about Hetland and the award written by a coworker.

There will be NO SCHOOL on November 27-29 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Monday, December 2.

South High School presents the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on November 21-24 in the South High School Theater.

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion. At least the losers get a juice box

Thursday-through-Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. with the Sunday performance at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students. Tickets are available at the Fargo Public Schools Box Office.

Mark your calendars for next Tuesday, November 19 at 5:30 p.m. The Fargo Public Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Committee invites all parents, students, staff, and community members to come together in support of its mission to foster inclusion, respect, and understanding for all children with special needs. This meeting is a valuable opportunity to share feedback and help shape the quality of special education policies and programs across our district. A TEAMS link will be available here.

Fargo Public Schools' Early Childhood Special Education program is seeking Community Friends to join its preschool classrooms. Community Friends are typically developing peers who will join the ECSE classrooms alongside the students with developmental delays or disabilities. Students must be 4 years old by July 31 and pass a developmental screening to be eligible for the program. The program is free of charge for families, but parents must provide transportation. The ECSE sessions are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Click here to apply for the ECSE Community Friends program.

Trollwood Performing Arts School's 2024 Mainstage Musical is Mamma Mia! Performances are set for July 22-26 and July 28-August 2 at Bluestem Center for the Arts. Visit trollwood.org for more information. Group ticket sales, for groups of 10 or more, are on sale now, and regular tickets will be on sale in May.

Cast auditions will be held February 22-26. Orchestra auditions will be held in March. Students may sign up for an audition slot by calling 218.477.6500 or emailing trollwood@fargo.k12.nd.us. Students may also participate as a run crew member or technician by registering for summer programming.

The NDSCA School Counselor of the Year award honors counselors in North Dakota who are running comprehensive school counseling programs at any level (elementary, middle, or high school), supporting student success and actively leading in their school district. If you know a school counselor that should be recognized for their work consider a SCOY nomination.

Click here to nominate a deserving school counselor. The nomination process is simple and takes only a few minutes.

The winner will be recognized at the NDSCA conference in February and will be submitted for the ASCA school counselor of the year. The nomination period closes next Friday, November 22.

McKinley kindergarten-through-fifth grade students honored and recognized veterans during a Veterans Day program on November 8. The students performed patriotic musical selections to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military.

The McKinley students invited family members and friends who are veterans and active to attend the program. The names of all veterans in attendance were read off as well as the McKinley student who invited them.

Dakota High School students picked up their rakes and lent a helping hand to their neighbors last week. They volunteered to help clean up leaves and remove yard waste at a house near the Agassiz Building. They handed out flyers around the neighborhood to gauge interest in getting help with autumnal yard cleanup and the students helped the respondents.

The Fargo Public Library has several events coming up for kids and teens, including a Zine Making Workshop on November 14 at the Main Library and a Teen Book Club event on November 19 at the Main Library. Visit the Fargo Public Library website for more information about these events and more.

As the leaves change and autumn settles in, Fargo Public Schools and Parent Guidance are dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with the support and resources they need to nurture their children. Parent Coaching pairs caregivers with a coach and therapist-created resources to help navigate the challenges of parenting. Click here to register.

This year, the Fargo Board of Education's Governmental Affairs Committee is focused on preparing for the 69th North Dakota Legislative Session. Once the session begins, the committee will closely monitor bills related to K-12 education, regularly updating legislators on how proposed legislation could impact our district, students, and community.

Read more about the work the Governmental Affairs Committee is doing to advocate for the District in this Board Column by Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Robin Nelson.

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 November 12 regular meeting of the School Board.

South High School juniors participated in Junior Preview Day on October 29. Each student had the opportunity to participate in a day-long post-secondary tour of their choice, including one of five colleges, the ND National Guard/Air Guard tour or Workforce tour (Cass County Correctional Center, Scheels Home and Hardware, Butler Manufacturing). Each tour included an overview of the site, tour, lunch, breakout sessions, and hands-on activities. (Photo Courtesy Brenda Koppy)

This newsletter is published weekly on Thursdays during the school year when classes are in session. Material for publication is due by noon on Tuesday of the week of desired publication.

Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000