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BRUIN BRIEFING
April/May 2024
Dear FSH Family Members and Friends
It doesn’t seem like it is possible, especially since my weather app is telling me there is a ‘winter storm’ coming as I write this. However, we are making plans for our many end of school year activities and events. We still have many activities planned as we finish up the school year.
Coming up are many opportunities to get out to support our Bruins and see and hear the great talent we have on the fields, tracks, courts, courses and in our theater, commons, and classrooms. Here are few of the highlights:
April 10th: Seniors pick-up cap and gowns at 8:00 AM
April 17th: Academic Awards and Career Day
May 28th: Senior Scholarship Recognition and Bruin Bash
May 28th: Senior PRANK (People Really Appreciate Nice Kids) Day and Senior Picnic
May 30th: Graduation Practice at the Fargodome at 2:45
June 2nd: Graduation at the Fargodome at 12:00
We also have band, choir, and orchestra groups performing final concerts of the school year and spring sports teams are competing as well. To see our full school calendar with the most up to date information about our events and activities, including changes, postponements, and cancellations, please check here: South School Calendar. You can also find information on events on “X” (formerly Twitter) at @fshactivities.
With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, it is also time to make plans for the summer and get registered for the Fargo Public Schools Summer Sports Camps. Fargo South will be offering camps for girls and boys basketball, volleyball, football, and strength and conditioning. Our coaches run these programs in hopes of helping the students improve their individual and team skills as well as get prepared for upcoming seasons. All of the camps include programs for seventh and eighth graders with some programs offering opportunities for younger students, also. Fee waivers are available for those in need of assistance with the registration fees. No one will be turned away. Registering as soon as possible will help us plan for the number of coaches needed to give the students the best experience we can. You can find more information, including registration information, Here.
We are planning to host a physical blitz once again here at South High, but we are looking to do it during the summer in connection with our Summer Sports Camps. We are finalizing the details of this opportunity and I will get those details sent out once they are set. All athletes will need a physical dated after April 15th, 2024 to participate in sports during the 2024-2025 school year.
You will find more information on the happenings at South High School in this edition of the Bruin Briefing.
Thanks for a great year!
Sincerely,
Mike Beaton
Assistant Principal/Activities Coordinator
STORM MAKE-UP DAY
SCHOOL MAKE-UP DAY
Due to the weather-related school cancellation on February 27th, Fargo Public Schools will use the storm make up days built in to the school calendar. Fargo Public Schools will hold classes on Monday, April 1, 2024. This day is now a day that students and staff are expected to be at school.
EARLY RELEASE DAY - APRIL 19
Fargo Public Schools will release students two hours early from school on April 19 to support the professional development of teachers.
The early release days allow teachers to gather in an extended Professional Learning Community (PLC) to focus on the students they serve this school year. During these early release days, teachers will analyze data and plan lessons to support students who have yet to grasp current standards and challenge students who have.
The district is committed to providing high-quality education for all students and believes investing in teacher professional development is critical to achieving this goal. By providing teachers with dedicated time to collaborate and learn from one another, Fargo Public Schools is taking an important step toward improving student learning outcomes.
FPS understands that early release days may cause some inconveniences for parents and guardians. However, this is an important step towards improving our teaching practices and benefiting our students' learning outcomes.
Parents are encouraged to contact the school for more information about the early release days and how they will affect their child's schedule. Students will have the opportunity for both breakfast and lunch on the early release days.
GRADUATION INFORMATION
June 2, 2024
Noon
FargoDome
(streamed @ fargo.k12.nd.us/south)
Mandatory Graduation Practice is
May 30 @ 2:45 @ the Fargodome
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
If you are a SENIOR planning to graduate on June 2nd, the following obligations must be met by each student before a diploma will be presented:
- Graduation requirements must be met in order to be eligible to participate in the ceremony.
- Independent study classes and Virtual Academy classes must be completed and grades received before graduation rehearsal.
- All fees/fines must be paid by and detentions must be taken care of before graduation.
- All students participating in ceremonies are expected to dress in business attire. The cap, gown, tassel, medallion and appropriate shoes are required. No other personal additions will be allowed.
If a student desires to receive a diploma without going through the graduation ceremony, please see your counselor by May 3rd.
CAP & GOWN DISTRIBUTION
Seniors can pick up their graduation cap & gown on Wednesday, April 10th at 8:00am in the main gym. During that time, you will receive information on graduation and the selection process for your graduation speakers. Please plan on attending.
GRADUATION DAY REMINDERS
The South High Class of 2024 celebrates the 56th commencement ceremony of Fargo South on June 2nd at the FargoDome. Ceremonies begin at Noon. Seniors should arrive at the FargoDome no later than 11:30am.
Graduation will run smoothly for everyone if the following points are considered:
- Gowns should be hung up or even possibly pressed before the big day. Remember your medallion.
- Students are to wear business attire under their gowns. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be going up and down ramps.
- There is no secure dressing area so do not bring items (purses, cameras, etc.) that will remain in the lining-up area while the ceremony takes place.
- No "decorations" of any kind will be permitted on graduation gowns, caps or shoes.
SENIOR IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS WILL BE IN WITH YOUR DIPLOMA
It is your responsibility to send your immunization records to the college you will be attending.
AWARD CEREMONIES
SOUTH HIGH HONOR SOCIETY
ACADEMIC CEREMONY
The academic awards ceremony will be on Wednesday, April 17th @ 8:35am in the gym. The ceremony will be a celebration of academic achievements, recognizing all students receiving a letter based on their cumulative GPA. Many students will also be recognized with other awards for academic excellence. Parents and students being recognized will receive an invitation in the mail to attend but the entire student body will be in attendance to share in the excitement.
SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP MORNING
In April, seniors will be asked to share information about any scholarships that have been awarded and accepted in order to be recognized at the scholarship ceremony on May 28th @ 8:35AM in the Dome Gym. Not only will we acknowledge those known scholarships but there will be some surprise announcements regarding other scholarships! Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate the many achievements of our soon-to-be 2024 Bruin graduates!
CAREER DAY
South High School will be hosting Career Day on Wednesday April 17th from 2:10pm – 3:35pm. All students will attend 3 25-minute sessions to learn about and explore a wide variety of career opportunities from over 60 industry partners. Professionals in a wide variety of fields shared the ins-and-outs of their work to help students decide if they would be interested in the field in the future. Students received an email to register for their top 3 career choices with 2 alternate choices.
PROM 2024
"DANCE AMONGST THE ENCHANTED"
April 6
$ 40.00/couple
Grand March - 7:00 pm
$5.00 entrance fee
Dance to follow in Gym
Spectators of Grand March
- Park on North Side
- North doors will open at 6:00.
- Tickets are $5.00
POST PROM 2024
NDSU Memorial Union
11:00PM - 2:00AM
Post Prom tickets are included in Prom packets when purchased. If students aren't going to Prom, they can purchase a Post Prom ticket at the business office for $10 or can pay at the door. If students are paying at the door, they will need their student ID. We encourage all parents to have their group of prom attendees to show up at post prom for a fun night of entertainment, games, food and prizes in a safe environment.
Entertainment:
Comedian - Jason Douglas, link to more information on Jason (Jason Douglas corporate comedian (funnycomedian.com) Caricature artists - Trevour Meyer and Alissa Allery
Games:
NDSU has bowling, pool, air hockey, and other games to play. PTSA will provide games of chance to win cash prizes as well as other prizes for the winners.
Food:
Pizza, appetizers, cookies, donuts
Prizes:
Only South students are eligible to win prizes. A ticket system will be utilized to select winners at the end of the night for Xbox, Playstation, Beats headphones, AirPods, TVs, gift cards, and many other prizes.
SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY
June 2
10 PM - 1:30 AM
Thunder Road
More information will be sent to senior families in May.
DONATIONS are very much appreciated as this party is strictly paid for by donations. If you would like to donate or volunteer, contact Lisa Jordahl @ lisa_jordahl@hotmail.com
PTSA has an Amazon registry if you are interested in donating a prize
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/391K621IM1VA0
TRANSCRIPTS
E-TRANSCRIPTS
High School sophomores, juniors, and seniors can now process transcript requests electronically through eTranscripts. Students request their transcript securely and at their convenience through their PowerSchool account.
Seniors should remember to request their final transcript when they know what college they will be attending by clicking the "send after graduation" button.
1. Students log into their PowerSchool account and click on the icon with the arrow/box
2. Click ND Education Portal
3. Click tab with student’s name
4. Send Transcript
5. Choose college transcript needs to go to
Please allow 2 days for approval.
If you have any questions, please stop by the Counseling Office or call Beth Phillips @ 446-2015.
SUMMER SCHOOL
1st Semester
June 4 - 27
2nd Semester
July 1 - 25
PE classes are June 4 - July 25
Vacation from July 3 - July 5
Register at fargosummerschool.com
Contact your school Counselor for more information.
SUMMER VOLLEYBALL
Reminder from Bruin Volleyball to sign up for summer volleyball via the summer school website! https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/682
There is opportunity for grades 6-12! There is also a weights option, too! Email Coach Wegleitner Wegleip@fargo.k12.nd.us with any questions!
SCHOLARSHIPS
ND SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
The total value of the scholarship is $6,000, disbursed $750 per semester or $500 per quarter. Recipients have up to six years following high school graduation to use the scholarship. To qualify for a disbursement, recipients must be enrolled full-time, as defined by the financial aid office at the institution, maintain the minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 2.75, and maintain progress towards degree completion requirements of the scholarship.
The scholarship can be used at any of the approved public, private or tribal colleges within the state of North Dakota. Eligible institutions must be regionally accredited and offer programs of study of at least 2 years in length.
The online application for the ND Scholarship can be submitted January 1, 2024 - May 30, 2024. Students can apply for this scholarship online at the ND Education Portal which can be accessed through their PowerSchool account or at https://www.nd.gov/dpi/parentscommunity/students/academic-and-cte-scholarship. Once approved, students have up to six years to access these scholarship dollars. Therefore, any student who qualifies should apply for this scholarship, even if not planning to attend a ND school in case plans change. This scholarship can also be applied to students who may return to ND for graduate school within 6 years of graduation.
NORTH DAKOTA CHOICE READY SCHOLARSHIP
For North Dakota Choice Ready Scholarship Information, click on link below:
https://www.nd.gov/dpi/districtsschools/essa/accountability-support-improvement/choice-ready
TESTING
ACT/SAT COLLEGE EXAM SCHEDULE FOR 2023/24
The ACT and SAT are college entrance tests required by most 4 year colleges. Students should check with the specific schools they plan to apply to for the test needed. These tests are generally taken during the latter part of a student’s junior year and during senior year.
ACT Exam Schedule for 2023/24
South High School Code: 350-565
ACT Fee: $68.00
ACT with Writing: $93.00
Late Registration—add $36.00
website - act.org
SAT Exam Schedule for 2023/24
South High School Code: 350-565
SAT Fee: $60.00
Late Registration: Add $30.00
website - collegeboard.com
WAIVER OPPORTUNITIES
If students qualify for the free lunch program, there are opportunities available for him/her to receive fee waivers or cost reductions for some events. These may include fee waivers for ACT/SAT/PSAT exams; reduced price for AP exams; scholarships for ZAPS workshops. Please check with your counselor to make sure students access these opportunities.
AP EXAM SCHEDULE UPDATE
By now, any student taking an AP (Advanced Placement) Class should have registered and paid for their AP exam if they are seeking to receive college credit through testing this spring. The Advanced Placement Program, a part of College Board, encourages high schools to offer challenging college-level work to able students. The Advanced Placement exam scores provide an opportunity for high school students to earn college credit at participating colleges.
Tests are scored by College Board and results are sent to the college(s) designated by the student. Colleges determine how much credit or advanced standing will be awarded to each student. Students are advised to research the AP policies of the colleges/universities they are interested in attending.
The ND Department of Public Instruction has provided some additional incentives/fee reductions for exams in STEM areas in the past years. If your student qualifies for any of these reductions, you will be reimbursed for this part of the exam fees after the exam is taken. Exam results will be available to students in July through their CollegeBoard account.
Exams are given on designated days set by the CollegeBoard. Exam dates for those offered at South High this year are listed below.
Art Portfolios are due May 10th.
NEW GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Beginning with the graduating Class of 2025, the required graduation credits will be adjusted from 24 to 22. FPS will align our graduation requirements with the state’s mandate of 22 credits. As a result, students will have to complete one less credit in Physical Education and one less credit in an elective course. This adjustment will afford our students greater flexibility in their schedules, allowing them to explore a broader array of academic and career interests and to engage more deeply in courses that align with their future aspirations.
For more information, please read the Cabinet Column by FPS Associate Superintendent Dr. Robert Grosz and reference AP 4310 – Graduation Requirements. We will continue to encourage students to enroll in 6 credits per year, however, minimums will change for the Junior and Senior years (6 credits to 5 credits).
DETENTIONS
Near perfect attendance is important because students are more likely to succeed in academics when school is attended consistently. If a student is recorded as being truant (unexcused absence) or is late to class, a detention will be assigned for each period of truancy and every third tardy.
An entry will be made in PowerSchool that will identify the date and period that the detention was earned. To access detention information, login to your PowerSchool account. There you will see the current detentions and how many have carried over from previous years.
At South High School, detention can be served Monday – Friday from 7:50am - 8:25am or Saturday mornings from 9:00—Noon. Failure to complete assigned detentions, will limit a student’s ability to participate in extracurricular activities (athletic and nonathletic) and participate in graduation ceremonies.
FALL REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Freshmen registration is scheduled for August 6 - 13. Freshman parents will receive a letter in late July with appointment information.
CLUBS/ACTIVITIES/GROUPS
FARGO SOUTH FISHING CLUB
Anyone interested in participating in the Fargo South Fishing Club can pick up an information packet in the main office at South High or can contact John Dockter via email at johnd@iscimaging.com. No experience is necessary and boats and transportation to events will be arranged. All events take place during the summer at local lakes. To make sure you get the team jersey, you need to sign-up by April 9th.
E-SPORTS
Fargo Public Schools sent 25 students to the esports tournament in Grand Forks February 22-24. The tournament was held in UND’s esports facility.
Harbringers, a Rocket League team, took 13th place.
The Goal Diggers, a Rocket League team, took third place.
Frostbite, a Valorant team, took seventh place.
Matthew King-Kester took tenth in chess.
Holden Heid took third in chess,
Keyoumars Farrahmand took second in chess.
FPS LoL, a League of Legends team, took second place.
AFJROTC
The Fargo Air Force Junior ROTC unit hosted their 11th annual Juggernaut sports competition
on Saturday, March 2nd. A total of seven teams competed along with schools from Minot,
Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Sioux Falls and two from St. Paul. The events consisted of
basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, flickerball, ultimate frisbee, boccer, and ended with a relay
race. The team from Grand Forks won their third consecutive overall championship. Fargo
placed 3rd overall with a first place finish in dodgeball, a second place finish in boccer, a third
place finish in ultimate frisbee and fourth place finishes in volleyball, flickerball and relay.
Photos courtesy
SOUTH HIGH ACALYMPICS
Congratulations to the South High Acalympics Team for taking 3rd place in EDC and 3rd place in State.
PARENT GUIDANCE.ORG
In an effort to proactively support students' overall well-bein, Fargo Public Schools is partnering with ParentGuidance.org to deliver monthly webinars developed by licensed therapists. This series will be virtual, interactive, and is designed to help parents and caregivers support students. Registration, attendance, and interactions are kept completely anonymous from other viewers.
The series will feature four sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. between April 2 and May 21. See poster below for dates.
ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE OFFICE (701) 446-2023
Good attendance, whether at school or on the job, is very important. If a student must be absent from school, please call Tyann Schlenker @ (701) 446-2023.
Class attendance will be reported daily by period. It is the intent of the attendance secretary to contact parents at home or work the same day by phone to directly report any class(es) that have been reported as absent.
Parents would you remind your students that are leaving school early for ANY reason that they need to pick up their exit pass from the Attendance Secretary. We are not always able to deliver passes in a timely manner. If students are leaving early for an appointment or other reason, they need to pick up their pass prior to their appointment. Also – If your student is going to an appointment dentist, doctor, etc. they need to bring an appointment slip back from the doctor/dentist to attendance when they return to school to have the absence excused for an activity.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- April 1 - Storm Makeup Day
- April 6 – Prom
- April 8 – South High Honor Society Induction Ceremony
- April 17 - Career Day
- April 19 – Early Out
- April 22 - Storm Makeup Day if needed - otherwise No School
- May 6 – PTSA Meeting – 6:00
- May 13-24 - AP Testing
- May 27 – Memorial Day – No School
- May 30 – Last Day of Classes
- June 2 – Graduation – Noon @ FARGODOME
SOUTH HIGH OFFICE PHONE NUMBERS
SOUTH HIGH OFFICE PHONE NUMBERS
Dr. Todd Bertsch, Principal - (701) 446-2004
Greta Evenson, Asst. Principal (A-K) - (701) 446-2005
Dr. Shannon Mortrud, Asst. Principal (L-Z) - (701) 446-2008
Mike Beaton, Activities Coordinator - (701) 446-2006
Dode Bentson, Administrative Assistant - (701) 446-2010
Donna Lee, Activities Secretary - (701) 446-2011
Kris Haphey, Bookkeeper - (701) 446-2022
Troy Nielsen, SRO - (701) 446-2025
Student Services
Laurie Schlenker - (701) 446-2017
Dennis Miller - (701) 446-2019
MJ Andersen - (701) 446-2021
Adrienne Eider - (701) 446-2020
Beth Phillips, Registrar - (701) 446-2015
Brenda Koppy, Career Center - (701) 446-2028
Christy Matlock, School Nurse - (701) 446-2034
Brittney Engelhard, SWFF - (701) 446-2018
Fargo South High School
Greta Evenson, Asst. Principal
Dr. Shannon Mortrud, Asst. Principal
Mike Beaton, Activities Coordinator
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/south
Location: South High School, 15th Avenue South, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-2000
Twitter: @fargosouthhigh