SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for October 17, 2024
Cabinet Column - Final Budget Approval, Launch of Transparency Center, and Digital Budget Book
Read more about the variety of funds operated by FPS and learn about the newly launched Transparency Center and Digital Budget Book in this Cabinet Column by Chief Financial Officer Jackie Gapp.
Feature Column - Shifting from English Learners to Multilingual Learners
Read more about the transition from English Learners to Multilingual Learners in this Feature Column by Multilingual Learners Facilitator Jenna Polley.
Feature Column - Proficiency Days
Read more about what you need to know about Proficiency Days in this Feature Column by Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann M. Hanson and watch the video below.
Riki Nitz Worker of the Year Award
Congratulations to Julie M. Anderson, a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, on being awarded the Riki Nitz Worker of the Year Award by the Dakotas Chapter for the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired. The Riki Nitz Worker of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual for their work with those who are blind and visually impaired.
The Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired is the only international organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to professionals who work in all phases of education and rehabilitation of children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. The Dakotas AER Chapter brings together rehabilitation and educational professionals across North Dakota and South Dakota.
FPS Parents Climate & Culture Survey
We Need Your Input! Fargo Public Schools is involved in a continuous improvement process that involves all stakeholders. FPS parents are invited to participate in an online survey. The survey will be open through October. The results will help us identify our strengths, areas for improvement, and stakeholder attitudes around the topic of climate and culture. You may fill out a survey for each student who attends an FPS school. Take the survey here.
CBE Play - The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
Carl Ben Eielson Middle School Theatre presents the one-act play The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, October 17 and tomorrow Friday, October 18 at South High School. No tickets are required.
In the Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, two narrators attempt to recreate all 209 collected fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in a wild, fast-paced extravaganza. To make matters more difficult, they attempt to combine them into one gigantic fable using Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and other more obscure stories like Johannes and The Devil's Grandmother.
Ben Franklin Play - Game of Myths
Ben Franklin Middle School presents the play Game of Myths at 7 p.m. October 24-25 in the Ben Franklin Middle School theater. No tickets are required.
The Greek gods learn that the Cloud Throne is up for grabs, with Zeus declaring the coveted throne will go to the do-gooder who’s the most helpful, compassionate, and caring. What follows is a series of short scenes adapted from traditional Greek tales, told with a cheerful twist and an emphasis on magnanimity. As all the gods gather in the final scene for an Academy Awards-style show, how will Zeus decide among so many good deeds done? We find that old habits die hard in this fun tale of mythological creatures, mere mortals, and (mostly) good gods full of goodwill and grace.
Community Friends Preschool Program Application
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.
Nominations for NDCEL Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year
The North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders is accepting nominations from teachers and community members for Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Community members and teachers are encouraged to nominate a deserving principal who consistently goes above and beyond to inspire excellence in education!
Nominate a high school or middle school principal.
Nominate an elementary school principal.
Nominations for secondary principals are open until this Sunday, October 20 and nominations for elementary principals are open until November 11. Winners will be announced at the NDCEL Mid-Winter Conference on February 5-7.
Nominations for NDSCA School Counselor of the Year are Now Open
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 on November 22.
My Life is Worth Living Film Event - Next Wednesday
October is National Bullying Awareness Month, and the community is invited to view impactful virtual film event next Wednesday, October 23 at 5 p.m. Presented by the Cook Center for Human Connection, viewers will hear the story of Kyle who becomes the target of online bullying and turns to unhealthy coping and negative thoughts. But he finds hope and strength through support and love from the relationships around him. Register here for this event.
Fargo Public Library Events
The Fargo Public Library has several events coming up for kids and teens, including Pumpkin Decorating Parties on October 17 and 28; a Teen Art and Chill Event on October 19; and a Jazz Into Fall concert on October 20. Visit the Fargo Public Library website for more information about these events and more.
YMCA Giving Tree Registration
The YMCA of the Northern Sky Giving Tree Registration is now open. If your family needs some assistance this holiday season and you meet eligibility requirements, register your child to receive gifts through our Giving Tree Program.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Children ages 0-18
- Reside in Cass (ND) or Clay County (MN)
- Receive YMatch, or YMCA Child Care Financial Assistance, Free or Reduced Lunch or County Assistance
- Able to pick up gifts in Fargo, ND on December 13, 14, 15, 2024.
Register now through the YMCA website.
Baesler Visits SDA
North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler and Assistant Superintendent Laurie Maske visited the Self-Directed Academy on October 8. SDA showed the visitors their facility and let them witness the self-paced, project-based learning model in action. (Photo courtesy Self-Directed Academy)
Vivace Concordia Performance
Davies High School Vivace participated in Concordia College's Choral Festival. They were selected as a featured high school choir and performed two songs at Friday's song share. They received feedback from Dr. Culloton and Dr. Kemper of Concordia and renowned composer Dr. Andrea Ramsey. They also combined forces with Moorhead's Chorale to open the concert on a combined piece, as well as participate in the 500-voice mass choir. (Photo courtesy Carly Grandner McDougall)
Ukeru Training
Davies High School educators participated in Ukeru training. The training session was led by two of Davies’ own teachers, Makayla Hesby and Gina Swenson, who are certified Ukeru trainers. This was the first in a series of presentations at Davies High aimed at equipping staff with effective crisis intervention strategies. (Photo courtesy Kayla Dewey)
Paul Bunyan Flapjack Breakfast
Lincoln Elementary School was visited by some tall tale and fairy tale characters for a special breakfast. Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Gardner's second grade classes dressed up as their favorite tall tale or fairy tale characters for a Paul Bunyan Flapjack Breakfast. (Photo courtesy Callie Gardner)
Traveling with Lewis and Clark
Centennial Elementary School students got a lesson in the history of the explorers Lewis and Clark from visiting presenter Tom Gibson. In the "Traveling With Lewis and Clark" presentation, students learned what it was like for the explorers on their expedition. The students and staff enjoyed one of Gibson's final presentations before he retires at the end of this school year. (Photo courtesy Chris Hayden)
Orchestra Festival
North High School orchestra students Noam Pearson, Leonardo Yan, Oliver Tackling, Joe Korbl, Brooke Balthazor, Evelyn Gabel, and Bodhi Freeman participated in the 2024 North Dakota String Teachers Association Orchestra Festival. The festival performance featuring orchestra musicians from across the state was held at Horace High School on October 4-5. (Photo courtesy Greg Schultz)
Hejmkomst Visit
Students from the North High School History Club recently visited the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead to engage with the center’s featured exhibit, Ihdago Manipi. This immersive exhibit highlights the 150-year history of the Fargo-Moorhead community. During the visit, the students had the opportunity to learn about the region’s Indigenous history, early settlers, and the community’s evolving identity through artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays. (Photo courtesy Zach Hochhalter)
NDSU Choral Festival
Twenty-seven singers from Davies High School participated in the NDSU Choral Festival. These students sang in four different choirs, worked with the faculty at NDSU, and collaborated with students from all across the states of North Dakota and Minnesota. Kaj Naujokas was a featured soloist in the tenor-bass choir, and Noah Meline received the 4-year award for participating in the festival all throughout high school. (Photo courtesy Carly Grandner McDougall)
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