SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for May 16, 2024
Feature Column - Review of Instructional Materials
Fargo Public Schools recognizes the importance of providing its community access to high-quality instructional and library materials aligned with its educational goals and values. The District has established a comprehensive reconsideration process outlined in Administrative Policy 4250 as part of its commitment to accountability and transparency. This process ensures that any concerns or complaints regarding instructional or library materials are addressed fairly, systematically, and timely.
Read more about the instructional material review process in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann Hanson.
Feature Column - Important Reminders for Lunch Accounts and Summer Meal Programs
Read more about end of year procedures for lunch accounts and programs available for summer food assistance in this Feature Column by FPS Nutrition Services Director Cindy Hogenson.
Concordia Community Achievement Scholarship
Congratulations to Davies High School senior Zahava Oti Akenteng on receiving Concordia College's Community Achievement Scholarship! She will receive a full ride scholarship for four years, covering the cost of tuition, room, and board. The application process included a video submission and interview.
Cognia Excellence in Education Award
Congratulations to Davies High School Assistant Principal Sean Safranski on being honored with the Cognia Excellence in Education Award! Safranski received the award at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Cognia Impact Conference in April at the Bismarck Events Center.
Excellence in Mentorship Award
Congratulations to Jefferson Elementary School Instructional Coach Angela Hansen-Cook on being honored with the Excellence in Mentorship Award at the 2024 North Dakota Teacher Appreciation Week Recognition Ceremony! The awards were presented by North Dakota State Superintendent Kristen Baesler at the North Dakota State Capitol.
LETRS Spring Cohort
Congratulations to the Spring 2024 LETRS participants that completed Volume 1. LETRS provides K-12 educators with an in-depth understanding of the science behind teaching literacy and gives them the background and depth of knowledge to teach language and literacy skills to every student. Designed to be the cornerstone of a multiyear, systemic literacy improvement initiative, LETRS is the most respected comprehensive professional development course for instructors of reading, spelling, and related language skills.
Catalyst Demonstration Teacher Certification
Congratulations to Washington Elementary School First Grade Teacher Sandra Sterling on becoming the newest member of the Fargo Public Schools Catalyst Demonstration Teacher team! FPS has six Catalyst Demonstration teachers and there are 45 teachers that are part of the Catalyst Demonstration Project District-wide with 26 teachers at the elementary level, four at the middle school level, and 15 at the high school level.
Kindergarten Registration
Going to kindergarten is important for children. It helps them build upon all the learning that they have done so far. In kindergarten, children will learn skills they will build on throughout their formal education and throughout life. It is important to register early to allow FPS enough time to plan ahead for the school year to give students the best experience possible.
Kindergarten Registration for Fargo Public Schools is now open online. If your child turns 5 by July 31, 2024, they are eligible to attend school in the fall. Visit fargo.k12.nd.us/registration to learn more about the registration process.
Climate & Culture Survey
Parents, we want to hear from you! Please help Fargo Public Schools improve how we are serving our students, staff, and stakeholders by taking our culture survey. The survey data will guide District decision making, parent engagement, District and school improvement, and influence Strategic Plan decisions.
If you are a parent of a student enrolled in FPS, please click here to complete this survey. You may complete the survey for each student enrolled at FPS. The survey is anonymous and demographic data is optional.
Graduation Ceremony Livestream Links
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024! Graduation is less than a month away at Fargo Public Schools. To accommodate those who are unable to attend, FPS will livestream graduation ceremonies at these links:
Dakota High School, May 31 at 7 p.m.
South High School, June 2 at noon
Davies High School, June 2 at 3 p.m.
North High School, June 2 at 6 p.m.
Parent Guidance Mental Health Series
In an effort to proactively support students' overall well-being, Fargo Public Schools is partnering with ParentGuidance.org to deliver monthly webinars developed by licensed therapists.
The next webinar is at 6:30 p.m. next Tuesday, May 21 with the topic "Understanding Video Game Addiction." Discover the signs and risks associated with excessive gaming, understand the psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction, and explore effective strategies for prevention and intervention. Register here.
Self-Directed Academy Registration & Hiring
Registration for the Fargo Public Schools Self-Directed Academy, opening next fall for students in Grades 6-8, is now open.
The Self-Directed Academy puts each student in the driver's seat of their own education. With an instructional model built on self-paced learning, flexible scheduling, technology integration, STEM focus, and project-based learning, students determine their own educational path with guidance from educators serving as learning mentors who understand their needs and tailor supports to each individual. The Self-Directed Academy is best-suited for independent learners who benefit from in-person contact.
Fargo Public Schools is also seeking staff for the Self-Directed Academy. The SDA will be a fit for creative, innovative, collaborative staff members who want to try something new and break out of the regular mold to work at the Self Directed Academy opening next fall for Grades 6-8. Educators will work in collaboration with students and other teachers to serve the unique needs of each student. Apply at fargo.k12.nd.us/apply
Trollwood Summer Registration
Expect the Unexpected! Experience magic, explore passion, and expand potential at Trollwood Performing Arts School with summer performing arts classes and performance opportunities for students currently in Grades K-12. Trollwood summer registration is now open.
Trollwood offers a full array of classes, performing opportunities, and technical theater experiences for every skill level, from elementary to middle school to high school. See the full list of Trollwood summer programming in this newsletter special edition.
Fargo Public Library Summer Reading Challenge
The theme for the Fargo Public Library's 2024 Summer Reading Challenge is “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” The reading challenge runs from June 3 to August 17. Kids and teens can participate by registering and logging into the Fargo Public Library Beanstack app (pre-registration starts Monday, May 20) and completing reading activities and challenges to earn prizes. For more information visit the Fargo Public Library's website.
Board Column - The Dignity Index
Read more about the conference and "The Dignity Index" in this Board Column by Burkland.
Board Column - Negotiations Committee Update
In an attempt to adhere to the recommendations of the North Dakota State Education Fact Finding Commission's report, the Fargo Board of Education's Negotiations Committee and the Fargo Education Association considered the creation of a Negotiations Advisory Committee made up of Board members, administrators, and teachers. This committee did not come together, but the Board's Negotiations Committee's commitment to work collaboratively with the FEA remains steadfast.
Read more about the steps being taken to make the negotiations process more collaborative, productive and efficient in this Board Column by Fargo Board of Education Negotiations Committee Chair Seth Holden.
School Board Schedule & Links
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 May 14 regular meeting of the School Board.
Centennial Kindergarten Roundup
Families of future Centennial Elementary School kindergarteners learned what to expect when their child starts school in the fall and how to prepare for it at the school's Kindergarten Roundup. After the presentation, families familiarized themselves with the school building by participating in a scavenger hunt. (Photo courtesy Chris Hayden)
Soaking in the Sunshine
Ms. Edwards' STAAR program students at Madison Elementary School took advantage of the sunshine and warm weather during class last week. They soaked in the rays and enjoyed a beautiful day as they listened to a story outside on the grass. (Photo courtesy MaKayla Edwards)
Bennett Spring Carnival
Bennett Elementary School held its Spring Carnival hosted by the school's Parent Teacher Association on May 3. Students enjoyed games, inflatables, face painting, a balloon artist, an ice cream truck, and more fun activities. (Photo courtesy Rachel C. Larson)
Mother's Day Flowers
Washington Elementary School second grader Eliza Olson got creative in preparation for Mother's Day last week. She created flowers out of Legos and paper hand cutouts. (Photo courtesy Hannah Ohm)
Recess With Mentors
Bennett Elementary School fourth and fifth graders were visited by mentors from the Davies High School Student Council. The elementary schoolers and high schoolers drew with chalk, played games, and had fun at recess. The mentors from Davies have been visiting Bennett throughout the school year. (Photo courtesy Amy Balluff)
Water Works
Local 14-year-old author and environmental activist Sawyer Anderson visited Karlie Kerr's classroom at Discovery Middle School to present on her book "Water Works" which illustrates the challenges some African villagers face getting clean water. With the help of sponsors, each student received a copy of the book, and the class donated $365 to Anderson's organization, enough to provide clean water to 36 people for life. (Photo courtesy Karlie Kerr)
Final Concert
Carl Ben Eielson Middle School celebrated choir teacher Renae Hansen at her final choir concert before her retirement at the end of the school year. Current and former students, including her two daughters, graced the stage to sing a final song under the direction of Mrs. Hansen. (Photo courtesy Mariah McKenney)
Virtual Vacay
Virtual Academy students enjoyed a "Virtual Vacay" social event at Trollwood. Guests enjoyed games, movies, karaoke and dancing. One first grade student sang "Respect" by Aretha Franklin and dedicated it to his principal to show how important respect is. (Photo courtesy Vanessa Boehm)
Dancing Robots
Washington Elementary School second graders used their dancing skills to learn about coding in the school's library. To learn the concept of looping, students wrote code for their Dash robots to perform a dance with them. The loop is a repeating action in a code, so it works perfectly for a dance. (Photo courtesy Brenda Cain)
Positive Messages
The sidewalk leading up to Washington Elementary School got a creative dose of positivity this week thanks to Mrs. Paszkiewicz's fifth grade class. The students used sidewalk chalk to write encouraging messages for students to read on the way into the building. (Photo courtesy Rehan Amedi)
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