SchoolTalk

Earlier this week, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, released a powerful transition memo outlining key recommendations for the next administration. This memo, written with the next federal administration in mind, offers a blueprint for strengthening public schools and improving outcomes for the 50 million students they serve across the country. As we reflect on these recommendations, we must consider their implications for Fargo Public Schools and our ongoing efforts to champion public education.

Read more about the importance of advocating for policies that ensure a bright future for public education in this Cabinet Column by Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi.

Starting in the month of October, kindergarteners and children in our early childhood programs will begin bringing home red Raising a Reader book bags each week. The red bags contain three books that families can share together and return to school the next week. The goal is to support families in establishing, enhancing, and maintaining home reading routines.

Read more about the Raising a Reader book bags and how to encourage children to read in this Feature Column by Literacy Outreach and Family Engagement Facilitator Susan Peterson.

When students take time to reflect on what they’re learning, they perform better in school. Research shows that self-assessment and reflection are two of the most effective strategies for improving learning. When students think about what they’ve learned and identify areas they need to work on, they can set clearer, more meaningful goals.

Read more about the importance of student self-reflection and grade checks in this Feature Column by K-12 Math Coordinator Andrea Manston and watch the video below.

The Fargo Public Schools 2023-2024 Annual Report is a summary of the District’s efforts to carry out its mission of “educating and empowering all students to succeed” during the 2023-24 school year. Read the report for an in-depth examination of the District’s students, staff, schools, departments, and programs and a celebration of their achievements. And view key statistics regarding staffing, budget, demographics, and assessment data. Thank you for supporting Fargo Public Schools and allowing the District to serve its students and families and provide an exceptional educational experience!

This week, October 21-25 is National School Bus Safety Week! Click here to read important tips on how to keep students safe on school buses. And drivers, please remember to use extra caution around schools and their adjacent intersections and neighborhoods. Please slow down for school buses and remember to never pass a school bus when the stop arm is extended.

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. The survey closes next Thursday, October 31. Take the survey here.

Ben Franklin Middle School presents the play Game of Myths at 7 p.m. tonight, October 24 and tomorrow, October 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.

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 on November 22.

This week, October 20-26 is National Teen Driver Safety Week! In celebration, Fargo Police Department School Resource Officers serving Fargo Public Schools high schools participated in a teen driver safety training video, teaching students about proper seatbelt use, avoiding distractions, and more. Watch the video below.

Thank you to Fargo Public Schools Federal Credit Union for its support of the Fargo Public Schools Foundation! FPSFCU has committed to donate $10,000 a year to the Foundation for the next 10 years. This generous contribution will help create enriched learning experiences for FPS students, teachers, and staff, and help to maximize their potential.

The check was presented by Fargo Public Schools Federal Credit Union employees and a board member (left to right): Operations Manager Brandy Link; Board of Directors Member Nikkie Gullickson; President Mari Gagelin; Marketing Coordinator Izzy Friederichs.

The Fargo Public Library has several events coming up for kids and teens, including Jazz Into Fall Concerts on October 27, Pumpkin Decorating on October 28, a Sewing Spooky Felt Teen Craft Event on October 29, and a Dig into Fossils event on October 29. Visit the Fargo Public Library website for more information about these events and more.

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.

This school year, the Fargo Board of Education's Planning Committee will continue to be heavily involved in the implementation of the newly adopted long-range facilities plan, which was approved by the Board on June 11, 2024. Creating a plan is just the beginning. Now that plan must be put into practice, which will take a lot of effort and will again require gathering input from the community throughout the year.

Read more about the Planning Committee's work to implement the approved long-range facilities plan in this Board Column by Planning Committee Chair Greg Clark.

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 October 22 regular meeting of the School Board.

Horace Mann-Roosevelt Elementary School's Culture and Character Spotlight on Thursday, October 10 celebrated Indigenous Peoples' Day and honored Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples and their cultures. Students and staff enjoyed a progressive muscle relaxation by Lamar Hill and members of the staff of Four Elements Therapy; learned about Native American dances and regalia from members of the Buffalo River Dancers; learned about Native American music from Arlan Littlewolf and Alexander Hayes; and received a lesson about the Seven Grandfather Teachers from Fargo-West Fargo Native American Education. (Photos courtesy Sydney Knutson)

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