SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for April 10, 2025
Feature Column - FPS Embraces Explicit Instruction
In March, members of Fargo Public Schools' Standards-Based Instruction team attended the North Dakota Science of Reading Explicit Instruction Academy, deepening their understanding of research-backed practices outlined in “Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching" by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes. The training emphasized that even experienced educators benefit from ongoing learning — in Archer’s words, “How well I teach = how well they learn.”
Read more about the SBI team's experience at the Explicit Instruction Academy and its application in Fargo Public Schools in this Feature Column by Director of Standards-Based Instruction Dr. Liann M. Hanson.
Feature Column - Languages Offered in Fargo Public Schools
Students in Fargo Public Schools are first introduced to languages in seventh grade in the World Language Survey course that introduces language-learning and exposure to the four languages that are taught in the District. FPS offers French, German, Latin and Spanish starting with students in eighth grade and continues through level 4 at the high school. Language study provides many opportunities and benefits for students. Studies show that learning a language can enhance memory, problem-solving skills, and cognitive flexibility
Read more about the benefits of studying a world language and the opportunities provided to world language students in this Feature Column by World Language Facilitator Jim Urlacher.
National Assistant Principals Week
This week, April 7-11, is National Assistant Principals Week! This week is a tribute to the pivotal role principals play in leading our schools and shaping the future of our students. Celebrate these hard working individuals by thanking an assistant principal for their work!
National Technical Honor Society
Congratulations to the 15 Fargo Public Schools students who were recognized as new inductees into the National Technical Honor Society at the Fargo NTHS induction ceremony on April 2 at the Wanzek Center for Scouting. Students earned induction by maintaining a 3.5 GPA in Career and Technical Education courses and a 3.0 GPA overall, completing two credits in a CTE pathway, and being active members in a Career and Technical Student Organization to be inducted.
Inductees:
- Davies: Gabby Bryn
- North: Payton Bjerke, Seren Dahley, Annika Erichsen, Olivia Hammes, Leah Hoffman, Grace Jensen, Abigail Moen, Carrie Osier
- South: Bria Arne, Britany Dhimal, Ava Everett, Megan Morrissey, Lucas Syster, Marissa Werner
MathCounts State Competition
ND Athletic Administrator of the Year
Congratulations to South High School Assistant Principal and Activities Coordinator Mike Beaton on being named the North Dakota Class AA Athletic Administrator of the Year by the North Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association! Beaton accepted the award at the NDIAAA Conference on April 5 at the Holiday Inn in Fargo.
Davies NLI Signings
Congratulations to Davies High School seniors Taya Laidlaw, Titus Dolo, and Tannis Lee on signing their National Letters of Intent to compete in athletics at the college level. Laidlaw signed to compete in wrestling at Bismarck State College, Dolo signed to compete in track at Valley City State University, and Lee signed to compete in tennis at Concordia College.
Employee Spotlight - Dean Sime
The Fargo Public Schools Human Capital Department wants to shine a spotlight on its valuable employees who have a tremendous positive impact on the District's students, staff, and families. The District's employees are crucial to achieving our goal of educating and empowering all students to succeed. HC has selected FPS staff members who are deserving of greater recognition and will highlight them each week. Meet Building Automation Specialist Dean Sime in this week's Employee Spotlight.
Annual Multilingual Learner Program Review
Multilingual Learners parents, students, and community members are invited to attend the Annual Multilingual Learner Program Review. This event is an opportunity to look at what the program has done well, discuss success, and find ways to make it even better.
Why Should You Attend?
- Learn about the ML Program and activities
- Share your thoughts and ideas
- Work together with teachers, staff, and parents to make the program the best it can be
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
- Location: Conference Room 134, Fargo Public Schools District Office
- Time: 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
For more information, contact ML Facilitator Jenna Polley at
Self-Directed Academy Now Enrolling for Fall 2025
The Fargo Public Schools Self-Directed Academy is now enrolling students in Grades 5-8 for Fall 2025. Students who may be a good fit for SDA possess intrinsic motivation to learn, set personal goals, and take ownership of their own learning.
The Self-Directed Academy learning model is built on the principle that learning should be self-directed, competency-based, and not confined by traditional time constraints. Project-Based Learning is embedded throughout the program, empowering students to have choice and voice in what they learn. It emphasizes mastery of concepts through personalized learning pathways facilitated by students, teachers and cutting-edge technology.
Learn more at the Self-Directed Academy website. Interested parents should contact SDA Principal Dr. Kelly Dietrich at 701.446.3004 or dietrik@fargo.k12.nd.us for more information or to take a tour.
South Play - The Play That Goes Wrong
South High School presents "The Play That Goes Wrong" this Thursday through Saturday, April 10-13 in the South High School theater, with Thursday through Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday performance at 2 p.m.
"The Play That Goes Wrong" is a 1920's whodunit set on opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society's newest production, "The Murder at Haversham Manor," where things go from bad to worse. The accident-prone thespians face struggle after struggle including an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can't play dead, and actors that trip over everything, including their lines.
Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults and can be purchased on the Fargo Public Schools Online Theater Box Office.
Middle School Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Fargo Public Schools invites middle school students exiting Grades six and seven to take on a new adventure this summer with three new summer enrichment opportunities.
Students can dive into the exciting adventures of the Greek and Roman gods, heroes and epics in "Heroes, Battles, and Legends." They can create a video about the history of Fargo and master film technique in "The History of Fargo, Directed by You." And they can explore self-expression through art, discussions, and bullet journaling in "Organization Through Art."
The courses are offered at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School with busing available from many schools across the District.
Trollwood Summer Registration
Light up your summer! Spark your creativity, radiate confidence, and focus the spotlight on you at Trollwood Performing Arts School this summer with 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. Learn more about Trollwood's summer programming in this special edition of SchoolTalk.
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 April 8 regular meeting of the School Board.
Bataan Memorial Hike
Thirty-two cadets from the Fargo Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps participated in the annual Bataan Memorial Hike on March 29. The hike honors the sacrifices of the victims and survivors of World War II's Bataan Death March. The 14-mile hike leads cadets from Davies High School to South High School and back with a stop for food at South. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Hein)
March Book Madness
Mrs. Monson's class at Washington Elementary School hosted a March Madness bracket with picture books. Students read and voted on their favorites, with "The Panda Problem" emerging as champion. The tournament was tightly contested with some rounds requiring tie breakers. (Photo courtesy Denae Monson)
Blood Pressure Project
Students from Nancy Durow’s College Trigonometry class and Heidi Horne’s Health Science 2 class at South High School worked together on a blood pressure project. The Health Science students took blood pressure and pulse readings of the Trigonometry students, who then used that data to create and present sinusoidal models of their own heart rhythms. (Photo courtesy Heidi Horne)
CNA Skills
Guest Director
AFJROTC Bowling
On March 29, the Fargo Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Parent Group hosted its annual spring bowling night for the cadets. Thirty-five cadets attended the free night of bowling, pizza, and pop. Large group events help build the camaraderie for the cadets, who attend five different high schools. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Hein)
Guest Conductor
North Dakota State University Director of Orchestra Activities and Percussion Studies Dr. Sigurd Johnson visited Ben Franklin Middle School on April 2 and 3. He led rehearsals and provided musical insight to the Ben Franklin Middle School "AD" Seventh Grade Band, under the direction of Gregory Calrow, and the Eighth Grade Band, under the direction of Andrew Roob and Kirstin Carlson. (Photo courtesy Kirstin Carlson)
The Nest Soft Opening
Tricia Romaine's restaurant skills class at Davies High School held the soft opening of their restaurant, The Nest, on April 4. Each student in the class invited a staff member to the event to practice skills they would use in a real restaurant setting. Students acted as hostesses, servers, and cooks to prepare for the official opening on April 10. (Photo courtesy Kaity Dalzell)
Science Night
Lincoln Elementary School partnered with Concordia Science Academy for Science Night on April 3, featuring demonstrations and hands-on experiments for Lincoln students and their families. In the school’s gymnasium, Dr. Graeme Wyllie of the Concordia Science Academy and Concordia College presented a science show, featuring exciting experiments designed to engage students and show them that science can be fun. Students also participated in experiments of their own. (Photo courtesy Megan Kiser)
Internet Safety
Lincoln Elementary School hosted North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation officer for grade level assemblies and a parent night about internet safety. Students and families learned about strategies for staying safe on the internet and got to meet Jib, the police K-9, whose job is to sniff out electronic devices. (Photo courtesy Megan Kiser)
Self-Awareness Award
Lewis & Clark Elementary School students were recognized for the Principals Award for showcasing strong self-awareness skills in March. Award recipients displayed the ability to recognize emotions, understand how they are linked to behavior, and maintained a grown mindset when faced with challenging situations. (Photo courtesy Danielle Lapos)
Board Conference
The Fargo Board of Education attended the National School Boards Association annual conference in Atlanta in early April. The annual conference allows Board members to learn about best governance practices, gain insights into child development, and explore cutting-edge programs and technology to enrich student learning. (Photo courtesy Allie Ollenburger)
National Anthem
The Carl Ben Eielson Middle School Honor Choir performed the national anthem at the Fargo Force hockey game on April 5. The students performed before the game and then had the opportunity to enjoy the Force's victory against the Tri-City Storm. (Photo courtesy Patrick Calvillo)
FCCLA Leadership Conference
Members of the Fargo North High School and Fargo South High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapters attended the FCCLA State Leadership Conference. Students learned valuable lessons about leadership at the conference held April 6-8 at the Bismarck Events Center. (Photo courtesy Katherine McCleary)
Learning Life Skills
Carl Ben Eielson Special Education Teacher Christyal Alexington used money from an FPS Development Foundation Innovative Education Grant to purchase flatware, plates, cups, cloth napkins, chargers, placemats, thank you cards, items to write and send letters, and fake cellphones. These items were used to teach special education students about life manners, healthy eating, and proper restaurant etiquette. (Photo courtesy Christyal Alexington)
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