Read more about the Primary Residence Property Tax Credit and how to apply in this Cabinet Column by FPS General Counsel Tara Brandner.

This year, Fargo Public Schools is proud to join the Inclusive Schools Network in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week, this week December 2-6, 2024. The theme, Every Voice Matters, underscores our steadfast commitment to creating a school community where every individual — students, educators, and community members — is valued and heard.

Read more about Inclusive Schools Week and the importance of inclusive learning environments in this Feature Column by Director of Special Education Shelby DiFonzo.

Congratulations to Davies High School student Cady Wang on being selected as one of two delegates to represent North Dakota for the U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C. from March 1-8. As part of the program, Wang will receive a $10,000 scholarship and will have the opportunity to meet senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense, and directors of other federal agencies.

Congratulations to Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and Catalyst Coach Mindy Rivas on earning her Catalyst certification in 1:1 Academics. Rivas is the first ECSE staff member to earn Catalyst certification.

The Catalyst Approach is a comprehensive professional development and implementation model based on observation of more than 50,000 classrooms and school-wide common spaces. It aims to accelerate deep implementation of skills that lead to the creation of improved classroom and school leadership, relationships, and culture.

Congratulations to North High School Girls Swimming Coach Talia Butery on being named the Eastern Dakota Conference Swimming Coach of the Year! The award was announced at the EDC Swim Meet.

Community members are invited to nominate a deserving Fargo Public Schools teacher, administrator, or support staff member for the annual Staff Recognition Program. The program honors FPS staff members who serve our students with excellence. More information can be found at this link.

Fargo Public Schools deeply values the nearly 2,000 staff members who ensure our students receive a high-quality education in a safe learning environment. To honor our employees, the District annually awards the following:

• Teacher of the Year Award − awarded to a certified staff member
• Administrator of the Year Award − awarded to a principal, assistant principal, director, or coordinator
• Support Staff of the Year Award − awarded to an educational support staff member, custodial/maintenance department staff member, or nutrition services staff member

Nominations will be accepted online through 4 p.m. next Friday, December 13.

Fargo Public Schools is seeking input from our entire community on the next steps for addressing the facility needs identified in our Long-Range Facility Plan. Over the past year, a team of parents, staff, students, and community members has worked together to develop a plan to improve and modernize the District's school facilities. We’ve heard from community members through committees, focus groups and meetings, and now we want to hear from you. Don't wait to take the survey, it closes at 8 p.m. today, Thursday, December 5.

The Long-Range Facility Plan aims to support Fargo Public Schools’ mission by creating safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments that meet the needs of our growing community. This plan includes new school construction, consolidations, and updates to aging buildings to ensure each student has access to a supportive, modern educational experience and the same educational opportunities. Take the survey here.

North High School presents the play Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge on December 12-15 in the North High School Theater.

Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge is a musical twist on Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. Follow Mrs. Cratchit as she tries to escape her dreary life, only to be thrown into a series of unpredictable encounters with Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and an ensemble of eccentric characters.

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.

The Mental Health Series from ParentGuidance.org is a powerful resource designed to support family mental health and well-being. Experts agree that adult involvement is important in a child's success. When caregivers have helpful tools, it benefits children, strengthens families, and contributes to a thriving community. Click here or on the image to view the Mental Health Series calendar for December.

On December 11, the Mental Health Series features an Ask a Therapist LIVE event, which offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with a licensed therapist. Click here to register.

AD-Ventures is a District publication intended to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month during the school year (September through May).

AD-Ventures for Kids is for youth in grade levels K-5.

AD-Ventures for Teens is for youth in grade levels 6-8.

The mission of the Fargo Public Schools is to educate and empower all students to succeed. Each day in the school year is essential to carry out this mission and provide instruction to our students. Fargo Public Schools makes every effort to keep schools open each day. Our first choice will always be to remain open, but at times the weather conditions within the city merit a school closing. Click here to read more about FPS' procedures for school cancellation, early release, and late start.

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 Winter Academy returns this January with Musical Theatre Audition Prep classes for high school and middle school students in Grades 5-12. Registration is now open for these classes that will ensure students are prepared for their next audition. Trollwood Winter Academy classes are from 3-6:15 p.m. on Sundays from January 12 to February 16. Register online at trollwood.org.

Now through Thursday, December 19, the Fargo Police Department is supporting the students of Fargo Public Schools with the Police Navidad Winter Clothing Drive. Your contributions of new or gently used winter gear will make a difference in keeping kids warm during the chilly months.

FPD is collecting coats, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, snow pants, winter boots and other warm weather clothing. New items are preferred to ensure durability and hygiene, but gently used items in excellent condition are also welcome.

All youth donations will be delivered to the Husky Hutch at Clara Barton Elementary School and teen and adult items will be donated to The Source at Dakota High School.

To donate, drop off items at the following locations:

• FPD Headquarters - 105 25th St. N. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Midwest Communications - 1020 S. 25th Street Fargo 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thank you to Touchmark at Harwood Groves for the donation of $524 to the Eagles critical needs fund! Touchmark held a rummage sale and donated the proceeds. The money will be used to purchase snow gear, snacks, personal hygiene products, socks, and underwear.

Pictured from L to R: Joshua Deutsch, Life Enrichment at Touchmark; Dr. Jennifer Jung, Eagles Principal; Cassie Larson, Eagles Counselor; Patrick Meyer, Eagles Assistant Principal.

Award-winning author, engineer, and STEM educator Christina Soontornvat will be giving a presentation and signing books at the Fargo Public Library - Carlson Branch at 6 p.m. next Wednesday, December 11.

Soontornvat is a three-time Newberry Honor recipient, most recently for The Last Mapmaker, which was also named Best Book of the Year by the New York Times. Her many works for children include picture books, and the bestselling graphic novel, The Tryout.

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 26 regular meeting of the School Board.

Fargo Public Schools students and other area students participated in the Fill the Dome community food drive event on November 25-26. The student-led event sees area students come together to collect food to fill the entire floor of the Fargodome to be distributed through the Great Plans Food Bank. This year, students collected more than 119,000 pounds of food and $30,000. The donations will help provide more than 99,600 meals to those in need.

Nearly 4,000 students from public and private high schools from around North Dakota and Minnesota visited the expo and envisioned their potential future careers. They got a first hand look at the work in the fields of heavy machinery operation, auto mechanics, fire rescue, EMTs, construction, and many more trades.

Carl Ben Eielson Middle School was highlighted in the latest BARR Monthly newsletter.

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