SchoolTalk

Parents/guardians of all Fargo Public Schools students will review, update, and complete their children’s annual student information update forms and make lunch account and annual fee payments ONLINE. Access to these online forms and fee payment is done through the Fargo Public Schools PowerSchool Parent site. Each Fargo Public Schools family should have ONE PowerSchool account with all the household’s student(s) attached, and then update information through that PowerSchool Parent account each school year thereafter.

Click here to go online to PowerSchool to complete/update student information forms for the 2024-25 school year NOW.

In addition to annual student information update forms, your PowerSchool Parent account gives you access to your child's attendance records and lunch account balance, along with access to your middle and high school child's daily assignments and current grades (these last two features are not available for elementary students).

If you have never created a PowerSchool Parent account, follow these instructions for creating a parent account in the FPS PowerSchool system:

1. Visit the PowerSchool page.
2. Click the Create Account tab under Student and Parent Sign In and then click the Create Account button
3. Enter the primary parent’s information under Create Parent Account (all fields are required)
4. Choose a Desired Username that will be easy to remember (Do NOT use any spaces or special characters)
5. Choose a Password that is easy to remember (You must use at least 8 characters)
6. Add all or at least one of your children in your household under Link Students to Account
7. If you need Access ID and Access Password information, contact the school (you can add more children later)
8. Click Enter
9. If everything entered was correct you will be returned to the top of the PowerSchool login page
10. You may now log into PowerSchool using the parent Username and Password that you created

If you need assistance, please FIRST contact your child's school office. If there is no answer during regular business hours, you may submit your help request online for assistance.

Kindergarten parents new to the District will receive an email with instructions on how to create a PowerSchool Parent account and review all forms. It is important for parents of new kindergarten students to review the forms as well. There are forms that are reviewed and signed during the summer that are not included in the initial kindergarten roundup registration forms.

Returning District families should have previously created a PowerSchool Parent account and attached all students in the household who attended school during the 2023-24 school year.

If a returning family has a child who will be a new student to Fargo Public Schools in the 2024-25 school year, the parent/guardian should go to the Registration Page on the Fargo Public Schools public website and click New to the District Enrollment. A Pre-Registration form will be presented, allowing you to start the new enrollment process for this child. After the pre-registration form is accepted by the incoming school, you will be able to add this child to your existing PowerSchool Parent account.

IMPORTANT: All returning Fargo Public Schools families must verify family information and complete annual student information updates for the coming school year PRIOR TO when their child(ren) attend any orientation or back-to-school sessions in August. Middle and high school students will NOT receive their class schedule and/or school-issued laptop until online PowerSchool annual student information update forms have been verified and updated for the 2024-25 school year.

The Fargo Board of Education set meal prices for the 2024-25 school year. The prices are:

• Elementary Breakfast $1.65
• Elementary Lunch $2.65
• Secondary Breakfast $1.85
• Secondary Lunch $2.95
• Adult Breakfast $2.75
• Adult Lunch $4
• Extra Milk $0.45

*Schools qualifying for the Community Eligibility Program will receive free student meals in the 2024-25 school year. These schools include Madison Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, and Explorer Academy.

Students attending school are provided breakfast and lunch through the USDA National School Lunch Program. Students may qualify for federal and state assistance to cover the cost of meals. Households may qualify based on income and size, participation in a federal assistance program (SNAP, etc.) or other criteria. This school year, North Dakota legislature passed a bill that allows families to receive free meals if they fall below 200% of the federal poverty line. Families must submit a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application (also known as a Free-and Reduced-Price Meal Application) every year.

If families qualify, households can receive free meals and additional benefits such as:

• Waived (canceled) fees for school related activities such as band rentals, activity fees, exam fees, and others.
• Increase funding to the district for educational programs through Title 1 funding, foundation aid, e-rate for technology grants, and others.

Households wishing to apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals may apply by submitting a Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application. It is only necessary to submit one application per household.

For more information about Free or Reduced-Priced Meals or the Student Fees Assistance and Benefits Application, visit the FPS Nutritional Services Department website. If you need assistance with the application, call FPS Nutrition Services at 701.446.1153.

If you do not have access to the Internet at home, you may access the Internet via computer kiosks available at your child's school. Please call your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete the form in person.

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