CBE Newsletter- Mid-January Updates
January 12, 2024
Great Relationships Produce Great Students
No School - Monday, January 15th
There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, January 15, 2024. Classes will resume as normally scheduled on Tuesday, January 16th.
CBE PTA Event - February 5th @ 5:30pm
Digital Safety Presentation
Join Carl Ben Eielson PTA for a Smart Talk
Family Conversation
Monday February 5th
5:30-6:30 for a light supper and presentation to follow
Register here: <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLJCTNC
Registration Deadline January 29, 2024
Registration Deadline January 29, 2024
During this event, families will learn how to:
1. Make the best online choices for themselves and their families
2. Have honest conversations about technology use
3. Set technology rules everyone can agree on
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!
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.
All FPS middle school progress reports will use a 1-4 scale for the skills for each essential learning outcome for each course.
All semester one scores will 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
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.
Exception to Attendance Petitions
Petitions for request to enroll your child outside of your assigned attendance area must be completed prior to January 31st and a decision will be received by February 15th. If the petition is received after January 31st, families will receive a decision by August 1st. If you have any questions about this, please contact Mr. Brad Franklin, principal at Carl Ben Eielson, at franklb@fargo.k12.nd.us .
AP 6710 Attendance Boundaries Policy
SkateCity Spotlight Skate - February 2nd
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.
Counselors Corner - Important 8th Grade information
South High School Information for current 8th grade students
8th Grade transition meetings will begin 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)
PTA Reflections Contest - Entries Due January 26th, 2024
The Reflections deadline is Friday, January 26th, 2024. For details, please contact Darla Bakko at miss_verbitsky@hotmail.com or carlbenpta@gmail.com .
Aladdin Jr. - CBE Musical
This year, Carl Ben Eielson is showing the musical, Aladdin. The musical will be at South High School. Come with us to a far away land, a far away place, where anything you dream is possible. We look forward to seeing you there!
Parent Teacher Conference Dates
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
8th Grade Art Fun with Watercolor Characters
Upcoming Events by date
January 15 - No School - Staff Professional Development
January 16 - First day of 2nd semester
January 16 - CBE PTA Meeting @ 7:00 - Library
January 24 - 8th Grade Music Students Tour of Elementary Schools
January 25 - 7th Grade Music Students Tour at Elementary Schools
January 25 & 26 - CBE Musical Performance @ South High Theater -Aladdin Jr. 7:00pm
January 27 - CBE Musical Performance @ South High Theater -Aladdin Jr - 2:00pm
February 2 - SkateCity Spotlight Skate Night
February 5 - PTA Digital Safety Presentation @ CBE
February 27 - Parent Teacher Conferences
March 5 - Parent Teacher Conferences
District News
Kindergarten Registration for 2024-25
Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2024 opens 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
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.
FPS 2022-2023 Annual Report
FPS 2022-2023 Annual Report
The Fargo Public Schools 2022-23 Annual Report presents the District’s effort to carry out its mission of “educating and empowering all students to succeed” and to serve its students and families. The information contained in the Annual Report highlights FPS’ students, staff, schools, programs, departments, and achievements. View the Annual Report for vital information regarding enrollment, staffing, budget numbers, demographics, and assessment data. Thank you for supporting Fargo Public Schools and allowing the District to provide its students an exceptional educational experience. Click here to access the full document.
ECSE Community Friends
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.