CBE Newsletter
February 2, 2024
Great Relationships Produce Great Students
As we bid farewell to the first month of the year, we find ourselves in the midst of an unexpected gift – unseasonably warm weather. While winter usually wraps us in layers, this unusual warmth invites us to step outside and embrace the beauty of nature. I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity by enjoying outdoor activities with your loved ones and soaking in the sun's warmth!
As we navigate through the academic year, I want to express our gratitude for your continuous support of your child's education. Your commitment to maintaining open lines of communication with teachers is crucial in fostering a collaborative learning environment. Remember, your active involvement plays a pivotal role in your child's educational journey.
Looking ahead, I encourage you to stay connected with your child's teachers. Regular communication ensures that everyone remains on the same page, fostering a positive and supportive educational atmosphere. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out – we are here to support you every step of the way.
I want to send a GREAT JOB to all of the cast and crew members from our recent musical performance, Aladdin Junior. Your hard work and dedication truly paid off with awesome performances! Another CONGRATULATIONS to our CBE Dance Team who received 2nd Place in the Junior High - High Kick division at the State Championships. Job well done! We are in the middle of our winter sports season with 7th and 8th grade boys basketball in full swing, but a reminder that spring sports are not too far off. 6th grade boys and girls basketball will begin February 26th and 7th and 8th grade Track and Field will begin April 2nd.
As we move into February, let's carry the warmth of January's unexpected weather into our hearts and continue to cultivate a strong bond between home and school. Together, we can create an environment where every child can thrive.
Thank you for being valued members of the Carl Ben Eielson Middle School family. Wishing you a wonderful and productive month ahead!
CBE Staff in the BARR Center's (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) Newsletter
Visitors to the building must provide an ID - Reminder
Visitors to the building
Fargo Public Schools uses a visitor management system in all of our schools to strengthen our program of campus safety for students and staff. Part of keeping students and staff safe is knowing who is in our buildings at all times, and this system will allow us to do so. This system allows us to better screen visitors, contractors, and volunteers in our schools to provide us with a safe environment for our students and staff.
Upon entering the school building, all visitors will be asked to present an ID, such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned. If a parent or guardian for any reason does not have a US government-issued ID, the school staff member can use any form of identification and manually enter the person’s name into the system. Once entry into the building is approved, it will issue a badge that identifies the visitor, the date, and the purpose of their visit. A visitor’s badge will not be necessary for those who visit our schools simply to drop off an item in the office or pick up paperwork.
End of Semester Progress Reports
End of the Semester and Semester 1 Progress Reports
The end of semester one marks the end of the assessment period for all FPS middle school students. As you know, all of Middle School has fully implemented Evidence Based Reporting during the 2023-24 school year. For the basics of what and why the change to Standards Based Instruction (SBI) and EBR (Evidence Based Reporting) please see this one-pager, specific to middle school as well as the FPS Secondary Instructional Website.
Something to note that is new and consistent for 6-8 at all MS is that on the progress reports students and families will see a 1-4 scale for the skills for each essential learning outcome for each course.
All semester one scores are due to be finalized by the teachers on Tuesday, January 16th.
All progress reports for the district will be uploaded on Thursday, January 18th, it is a large batch and it takes some time.
Directions on how to view Semester 1 progress reports after January 19th:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ayIuhms3q6M0iAzqKYgaOMsFXbBEVL-vzvi8KdWE10s/edit?usp=sharing
CHORAL NEWS
Congratulations - Allstate concerts - Tonight and Saturday
CBE has 8 students participating in the Jr Hi Allstate this year. They were selected out of hundreds of auditions including grades 7 – 9. These students will rehearse Friday and Saturday February 2 & 3 at Fargo South High School. There will be a sneak preview concert held at South on Friday night at 7:30 pm with the full concert presented on Saturday at 3 pm…tickets are available at the door. CBE students participating are: Aspen A., Elayna D., Makai K., Ellen K., Caleb L., Faith S., Lydia W., & Terra W.
8th Grade counseling meeting
Counselors Corner - Sign up for 8th Grade High School Registration Meetings
8th Grade transition meetings began on January 16th and continue into late February. During this meeting, parents or guardians will meet individually with their student and students’ school counselor to choose 9th grade classes and discuss graduation requirements. Please visit the counseling page on the CBE website to sign up for a time. Please sign up no later than February 5th!
Sign up for a Transition Meeting here.
Miss Johnson's Meeting Sign-up (Students with the last names starting with A-G)
Miss Ronnevik's Meeting Sign-up (Students with the last names starting with H-N)
Mrs Wallmans' Meeting Sign-up (Students with the last names starting with O-Z)
SkateCity Spotlight Skate - TONIGHT (February 2nd)
CBE PTA - Digital Safety Presentation reminder if you registered
Monday, February 5th
This is a reminder for the families that registered to attend the Carl Ben Eielson PTA - Smart Talk presentation on Monday, February 5th. Light supper will start at 5:30 and the presentation will follow.
School Party/Dance on Friday, February 9th
We are excited to invite all students our second CBE dance/party of the 23-24 school year!
CBE party/dance information for all grades:
- The cost to get in is $5.00
- There will be a variety of activities for students to participate in
- Teams of teachers will have pay to play games for a chance to win prizes! Bring a little extra spare change so you can try your hand at a variety of challenges or to enjoy concessions.
- Concessions will be available all night
- It’s going to be an awesome night of games, food and fun!
- Rides must be planned out in advance
6th Grade Specific Information:
- 6th grade party times are from 4:00 - 5:30pm
- Students need to be picked up promptly at 5:30 pm
- Wristbands will be sold on Friday during lunch time for 6th graders
7th/8th Grade Specific Information:
- 7th and 8th Party times are from 6:30 - 8:00pm
- 7th and 8th graders, you will pay at the door
- 7th and 8th grade students will need transportation both to and from the party
Kindness week - February 12-16.
The theme is “Kindness is worth 100 grand."
Dress up day details will be shared in the CBE Daily Announcements and posted in the school.
EARLY OUT Release Day - February 16, 2024
For the 2023-2024 school year, Fargo Public Schools (FPS) will implement four “early release” school days for students. On these days, students will be dismissed two hours early at each building. The early dismissal will allow our teaching staff to gather in an extended Professional Learning Community (PLC). Principals will send out specific building schedules (see below).
During these early release days, our teachers will be focusing on analyzing student data, setting goals for student learning, and reviewing and planning research-based instructional strategies for students who need support and those who need enrichment. Teachers will collaborate with grade or content-level peers to review, reflect, and learn from each other in meeting students' needs.
No School - February 19th
There is NO SCHOOL February 19, 2024. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 19th.
PARENT / TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN-UP
Upcoming Parent/Teacher Conference Dates:
Tuesday, February 27th, 2024 - 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 - 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Conference time is fast approaching. We look forward to seeing you and your child to discuss their learning and growth at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School.
Carl Ben Eielson Middle School will be using PTCFast again this year as our school-wide scheduling program for our Parent Teacher Conferences. The online scheduling tool will allow parents the ability to schedule a conference time for your student’s parent teacher conference. These instructions will help you navigate the sign up process.
6th grade student conferences should be scheduled according to your student’s Language Arts Teacher. Please ask your child who their Language Arts teacher is before scheduling a conference time.
7th & 8th grade conferences are set up by the student’s team and not by an individual teacher. Please ask your child which team they are on before scheduling a conference time.
Use the link below to sign up for conferences.
CBE Scholastic Book Fair
Dear CBE Families:
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair! This event is hosted by the library and is an excellent opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. All purchases benefit our school!
Dates & Times:
- February 26th-March 1st in the CBE Library
- Monday, Feb. 26th: 8:00-2:00 (Staff Only Preview 2:00-4:00)
- Tuesday, Feb. 27th: 8:00-7:30
- Wednesday, Feb. 28th: 8:00-4:00
- Thursday Feb. 29th: 8:00-4:00
- Friday Mar. 1st: 8:00-1:05 (Closed after advisory time)
eWallet:
- Scholastic offers a cash-free payment option called eWallet. It’s a convenient digital account that your child can use for shopping at our Fair. Grandparents, friends and others can contribute too! Any amount remaining after the fair can be used at scholastic.com or saved for the next Fair. Go to our Book Fair Website to set one up!
Online Shopping
- Can’t make the dates above? The Online Fair is open February 26-March 10. All orders ship directly to your home. Free shipping for book orders over $25! Use the link below to order!
Visit our Book Fair homepage to see all the details! https://www.scholastic.com/bf/cbemiddleschool
Or go to www.scholastic.com/fair and search for our school!
We’re excited to celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair. We look forward to seeing you there!
Happy Reading,
CBE Library Staff
Game of Tiaras - One Act Play Auditions
When the aging king of a Magical Kingdom (England) decides to split his empire between his three daughters, Cinderella, Belle, and the Snow Queen (who in no way resembles a copyrighted character), terrible tragedy ensues. Terrible, hilarious tragedy.
Come and enjoy Game of Tiaras, a bloody, bloody tragic comedy with apologies to Shakespeare!
Carl Ben Eielson’s One-Act play is auditioning on February 26th immediately after school. The play is at CBE’s Hangar at 7:00 PM on April 11th and 12th.
Canvas/PowerSchool Help for Parents
Here is a document with links for Canvas and PowerSchool information. Please contact Jo Pikarski at pikarsj@fargo.k12.nd.us if you need additional help creating or connecting your accounts.
Upcoming Events by date
February 2 - SkateCity Spotlight Skate Night
February 5 - PTA Digital Safety Presentation @ CBE
February 5 - 9 - EL Access Testing
February 16 - Early Release Day
February 19 - No School
February 26 - One-Act Play Auditions - Game of Tiaras
February 26 - March 1 - CBE Book Fair
February 27 - Parent Teacher Conferences
March 5 - Parent Teacher Conferences
District News
Kindergarten Registration for 2024-25
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2024 opened online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration on February 1. Your child must be age 5 by July 31, 2024 to attend school in the fall.
Registration is a two-step process:
STEP ONE: REGISTER ONLINE
Complete online registration forms at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/registration. For assistance, please contact your child’s school to schedule an appointment to complete in-person.
STEP TWO: SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION
Upload or bring the following documents to your child’s school by August 27 to finalize registration.
- Child’s certified birth certificate
- Child’s immunization record with 5-year shots
- Document (i.e. current city utility bill and bank statement) that includes parent/guardian name and current address for verification
If you do not know which school your child will attend, call 701.446.1043 or check online at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/boundarymaps.
If you need help in PowerSchool (Fargo Public Schools online registration software), please call 701.446.1006
Recurring CBE News
Inbound Phone Call Issue
All Fargo Public Schools buildings are experiencing problems receiving inbound phone calls from cellular phones attempting to reach an FPS listed phone number. Calls are randomly routing to unknown destinations instead of ringing into the intended recipient in our schools/buildings. This is a regional issue and is affecting other companies in the Fargo-Moorhead area, not just Fargo Public Schools.
In some cases, the call will ring and go unanswered, or a message will play stating, “We’re sorry, the party you are trying to reach is not accepting calls right now; please try your call again later.” A generic greeting may also play and allow you to leave a message in a voicemail; however, this is not an FPS voicemail, so those messages will not be received by anyone at FPS.
If you have had difficulty trying to reach any of the Fargo Public Schools buildings, please try the call again or, if possible, use email as an alternate contact method. If you reach a voicemail greeting that does not contain information about the school/building you are calling, do not leave a message. All FPS voicemail greetings will contain specific information relative to FPS.
The local telephone companies and wireless service providers are aware of this regional issue and have been working to find a resolution. We apologize for any inconvenience this is causing in reaching our schools.
Update your contact information
Inclement Weather
The season of winter storms is upon us, and I want to reaffirm our mutual commitment to the safety of your school children. We maintain close communication with the U.S. Weather Service. When storm conditions develop, we must make the decision as to whether school will be held or not. This decision is based on the general conditions which exist for the majority of Fargo students. Weather conditions and distance to school will vary however, and parents should use their own judgment in determining if the weather is suitable for their children to make the journey to school on any particular day. If school is in session and it is your decision that your child should remain at home, that decision will be respected by the school.
If school is called off, the local radio and television stations will be notified as early as possible. School closing notices will also be posted on the internet via FPS and the weather section of In-Forum. In addition, you should receive a connect ed phone call from the district office with the information. If storm conditions develop during the day and it is determined that an early dismissal is in the best interest of the students, the media will be notified and principals will proceed with an orderly dismissal. Elementary principals will dismiss students consistent with the instructions provided by parents on the emergency/weather school closing form.
If it is announced that school will be starting late, we will begin the school day at 10:45. Students will report to their period 3 upon arrival.
We appreciate your continued cooperation and understanding in this important matter. Be assured that the well-being of your children is of utmost importance to us.
School closure information will also be broadcasted via local media, and the information will be posted on our website and social media sites (Facebook and Twitter).
For more information please see the school cancellation process on the Fargo Public Schools website.
Heads Up, Parents! Potentially Dangerous Apps Lurking for Middle School Students
The ever-expanding digital world holds endless possibilities for young minds, but lurking amongst the fun and games are apps that could pose risks for teens. Pew Research just released a study (found here) that found 93% of teens are on youtube and 63% are on TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. Staying informed is key, so let's delve into some popular apps with potential pitfalls for your tweens & teens:
Social Media:
- TikTok: While captivating with its short-form videos, TikTok exposes kids to mature content, unrealistic beauty standards, and potential privacy breaches. Algorithms can lead to rabbit holes of harmful content, and influencer culture can fuel pressure to compete.
- Snapchat: Disappearing messages may give a false sense of anonymity, encouraging risky behavior like cyberbullying or sending inappropriate content. Encourage kids to be mindful of what they share and who they share it with.
- Instagram: The picture-perfect world of Instagram can lead to body image issues and social comparison. Open communication is crucial to help kids navigate pressures and understand the curated nature of online personas.
Messaging Apps:
- Discord: Designed for gamers, Discord can expose kids to inappropriate language, mature content, and online predators. Unmoderated servers pose additional risks. It's important to monitor their server activity and ensure they stick to age-appropriate communities.
- Kik: This messaging app allows anonymous contact, a breeding ground for cyberbullying and potential exposure to predators. Keep an open dialogue with your child about online safety and the importance of responsible online interactions.
Other:
- Live-streaming Apps: Apps like Live.me and Bigo Live can expose kids to inappropriate content and potential grooming risks. Discuss appropriate conduct and monitor their online activities during live streams.
- Challenge Apps: Apps like Truth or Dare or Bottle Spin often encourage impulsive behavior and can lead to risky or embarrassing situations. Talk to your child about setting boundaries and making responsible choices, even in the face of peer pressure.
There are apps called vault apps that hide the real app that someone has downloaded. The most common vault apps are Calculator Vault that looks like an innocent calculator, but when clicked, asks for a password where you will find other apps your student may be trying to hide from you and Cloak which is an app that lets you hide apps on your iPhone. Unlike other ways to hide iPhone apps, when you hide an app with Cloak, it completely removes it from the device, including the Home Screen, App Library, and notifications. Remember: Open communication is your best defense. Talk to your children about online safety, set clear expectations, and monitor their app usage. Familiarize yourself with the apps they use and their privacy settings. Encourage critical thinking and empower them to make safe choices online.
Stay informed, stay vigilant, and keep your students safe in the ever-evolving digital landscape!
Stay Connected!
You will find links for:
· Newsletters
· School Calendars
· Daily Announcements
· PowerSchool & SchoolPay Logins
· Student Handbook
· School Menus
· District Forms
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact our school office at 701-446-1700.
UNDELIVERED EMAILS
If you use Hotmail or Gmail and you suspect you are not receiving school notification emails, you can add the noreply@fargo.k12.nd.us email address to your account as a safe sender, which will then allow these messages to be delivered. The easiest way to do this is to just add the address to your contacts/people list. Click here for a guide on how to do this.
Mr. Brad Franklin
Principal
Grade 8Mr. Brian Marcus
Assistant Principal
Grade 6Mrs. Mariah McKenney
Assistant Principal
Grade 7
Follow us on Instragram @carlbeneielsonms or X (formerly Twitter) @FPSCarlBen. You can also keep current on District news! Sign up to receive the Fargo Public School’s District newsletter – School Talk. Go to www.fargo.k12.nd.us/newsletter and click Subscribe at the top of the page.
Communication is important to a successful school year. If at any time you have a question or concern about your child’s classroom, please feel free to contact their teacher. In addition, please feel free to contact the office if you have concerns about your child’s education and school day. Together we will have a great school year!
Carl Ben Eielson Middle School
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/cbe
Location: 1601 13th Avenue South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-1700
Twitter: @FPSCarlBen
The Fargo Public School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment free from discrimination and harassment in all employment and educational programs, activities, and facilities. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment based on an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, or other status protected by law.