Each year, Fargo Public Schools administration conducts an Administrative Policy review. FPS Administrative Policies are reviewed on a set rotation, ensuring all policies are reviewed once in a four-year cycle. Through this review process, some policies do not require any changes while other policies receive minor updates or more substantial updates. For the 2024 review cycle, administration has been reviewing this year’s set of policies during the school year.

Read more about the policy review process and to see which policies are being reviewed this school year in this Cabinet Column by FPS Communications Officer AnnMarie Campbell.

Fargo Public Schools is committed to providing students with high-quality instructional materials that support its strategic plan, align with curriculum standards, and promote inclusivity and diversity. The selection process, guided by Administrative Policy 4250, ensures that all materials chosen for classroom use meet rigorous criteria and are conducive to student learning and growth.

Read more about the criteria and process involved in the selection of instructional materials in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann Hanson.

Congratulations to South High School students Inga Fraser and Ben Pinks on winning first and second prize at the Shine the Light: Midwest Mental Health Film Festival! Fraser received a $1,000 cash prize for first place with the video, "Deep Breaths." Pinks received a cash prize of $750 for the video "Give Yourself a Hand."

The Shine the Light: Midwest Mental Health Film Festival, sponsored by the 4-6-3 Foundation and TellWell on May 2 at the Fargo Theatre, showcased a diverse array of film submissions focused on mental health from high school and college students across the Midwest. Inga and Pinks produced their videos in Mrs. Stuart-Melland's video communications/visual production and broadcasting classes.

Congratulations to South High School junior Briar Olson on winning a Gold Key in flash fiction and a Silver Key in scifi/fantasy in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards! The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, started in 1923. The awards have an impressive roster of past winners, including Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, Robert Redford, and most recently, Amanda Gorman.

Congratulations to South High School senior Felipe Marino on receiving Concordia College's Community Achievement Scholarship! Marino will receive a full ride scholarship for four years, covering the cost of tuition, room, and board. He was surprised with the announcement of the scholarship by his friends in the Orchestra Classroom.

Fargo Public Schools held its second annual Middle School Band Festival on April 29 at Davies High School. Band students from all FPS and West Fargo Public Schools middle schools participated in the festival, showcasing their musical talents and skills.

During the festival, students had the opportunity to perform 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. View the students who received Outstanding Performance recognition.

Parents, we want to hear from you! Please help Fargo Public Schools improve how we are serving our students, staff, and stakeholders by taking our culture survey. The survey data will guide District decision making, parent engagement, District and school improvement, and influence Strategic Plan decisions.

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.

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024! 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:

Dakota High School, May 31 at 7 p.m.

• Click here for the Dakota livestream link

South High School, June 2 at noon

• Click here for the South livestream link

Davies High School, June 2 at 3 p.m.

• Click here for the Davies livestream link

North High School, June 2 at 6 p.m.

• Click here for the North livestream link

In an effort to proactively support students' overall well-being, Fargo Public Schools is partnering with ParentGuidance.org to deliver monthly webinars developed by licensed therapists.

The next webinar is at 6:30 p.m. May 21 with the topic "Understanding Video Game Addiction." Discover the signs and risks associated with excessive gaming, understand the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction, and explore effective strategies for prevention and intervention. Register here.

Join the Fargo Public Schools team and make a difference! Fargo Public Schools is now hiring Speech Language Pathologists more rewarding positions. Click here to view open positions and apply.

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.

Fargo Public Schools is also seeking staff for the Self-Directed Academy. The SDA will be a fit for creative, innovative, collaborative staff members who want to try something new and break out of the regular mold to work at the Self Directed Academy opening next fall for Grades 6-8. Educators will work in collaboration with students and other teachers to serve the unique needs of each student. Apply at fargo.k12.nd.us/apply

Registration for the Trollwood Mentorship Program, opening this fall for students in grades 9-12 is open. Visit Trollwood's website to learn more and fill out the commitment form.

The Trollwood Mentorship Program, a partnership between Trollwood Performing Arts School and the FPS Virtual Academy, was designed to maintain the flexibility of the virtual academy while giving them hands-on, to follow an artistic passion with specialized, hands-on training.

Student Talent Mentor Shawn Brekke will connect students with specific artistic mentors from the area to work on specific skills in the areas of their interest. If they desire, students will have the flexibility to build a hybrid schedule, incorporating both virtual instruction and classes at their home school.

Seventh graders from each of Fargo Public Schools’ middle schools explored careers involving vehicles and mobility outside of the traditional office setting at the “Careers on Wheels” event on May 3 at the FargoDome.

Students spent 5-7 minutes at each station, listening to short career presentations by each business representative and participating in question and answer time. The students interviewed each of the various presenters about education and/or training needed for each job, the skills required, typical salary range and job schedule, most and least liked job duties, and how the vehicle on display is used for each career.

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