November 20-26 is International Restorative Justice Week and we would like to celebrate by introducing the Fargo Public Schools Restorative Practices Conference Facilitators. Restorative practices is the science of building relationships, community, and restoring and maintaining trust between individuals.

Click here to meet the FPS Restorative Practices Conference Facilitators in this Feature Column by FPS Social Emotional Learning Coordinator Kat Field and the rest of the District's RPCFs.

As the world advances, so do the ways people use nicotine products. The tobacco industry has evolved from cigarettes and cigars to electronic means in the form of e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes have gained popularity across the U.S. with all age groups, but especially with youth.

Click here to learn more about the current trends in youth nicotine consumption and how to prevent it in this School Resource Officer Column by North High School SRO Officer Joshua Horner.

Congratulations to North High School sophomore Addison Cerney and to Davies High School senior Tara Hendrickson on winning the state championships at the North Dakota Girls Swimming and Diving State Meet at the Hulbert Aquatics Center in West Fargo.

Cerney won the state title in the 100-yard backstroke in 58.03 seconds. Hendrickson won the 100-yard breaststroke in 1 minute, 5.77 seconds.

North High School teacher and track and cross country coach Keith Lehman raised $2,115 for North's Open Door Food Pantry. He gathered donation pledges with the promise to run one mile for every $100 raised to ensure that North students in need receive food, clothing, personal hygiene products and other supplies.

Despite the cold and icy weather on November 12, Lehman lived up to his promise and ran 21.15 miles. The Fargo North Open Door Food Pantry uses every penny raised to impact students by providing them with critical needs items with no questions asked.

Congratulations to FPS Special Education Area Service Coordinator Rebecca Campbell on being elected President of the North Dakota Association of School Psychologists! NDASP empowers school psychologists by advancing professional standards and effective practices to promote healthy environments for all students and to improve student learning, behavior, and mental health.

Congratulations to North High School's Eli Pederson on signing to continue his athletic career in college! Pederson signed his National Letter of intent to run at North Dakota State University.

Congratulations to North High School's Arden Faulkner on signing to continue her athletic career at the next level. Faulkner signed her National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Lake Region State College.

Congratulations to the Kennedy Elementary School Parent Teacher Association on being named one of 150 school PTAs to receive a $1,000 grant from National PTA and Norton.

The money is meant to facilitate PTA Connected: The Smart Talk family conversations program, an interactive tool that helps families create a personalized agreement for how technology will be used in their homes.

There will be NO SCHOOL for all Fargo Public Schools students November 23-25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Classes and activities will resume as regularly scheduled on Monday, November 28.

Community members are invited to nominate a deserving Fargo Public Schools teacher, administrator, or support staff member for the annual Staff Recognition Program. The program honors FPS staff members who serve our students with excellence. Online instructions, forms, and the application process can be found at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/StaffRecognitionProgram. Nomination forms will be available starting at 9 a.m. on Monday, November 28.

Fargo Public Schools deeply values the nearly 2,000 staff members who ensure our students receive a high-quality education in a safe learning environment. To honor our employees, the District annually awards the following:

• Teacher of the Year Award − awarded to a certified staff member
• Administrator of the Year Award − awarded to a principal, assistant principal, director, or coordinator
• Support Staff of the Year Award − awarded to an educational support staff member, custodial/maintenance department staff member, or nutrition services staff member

Nominations will be accepted online November 28 to December 16, 2022.

North High School presents its musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on November 17-20!

This family-friendly musical written by award-winning composer Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the tale of Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar and finds that he has a talent for interpreting dreams.

Thursday through Saturday performances are 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday performance at 2 p.m. in the North High School theater. Tickets can be purchased from the FPS Online Theater Box Office.

Discovery Middle School presents The Bully Plays on November 18-19!

The Bully Plays is a series of six 10-minute plays focused on an anti-bullying message with each short play focusing on different aspects of bullying. After each performance, there will be a Question and Answer panel featuring Discovery Principal Amy Herrick, Activities Director Brandon Larson and the cast of the plays. The audience is welcome to stay and ask questions about the anti-bullying policies in place at Fargo Public Schools, and how to stop bullying in school, in social media and in the community.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, November 18 and 2 p.m. Saturday, November 19 in the Discovery Middle School auditorium.

Apply to join the Fargo Public Schools team and be the leader they need! Current openings include Food Service Staff, Paraeducators, Custodial Staff, and more! Click here to view all open positions and apply.

Stay Strong! Avoiding school absences through the winter months is crucial for academic success. Missing school and falling behind on assignments can create school-related anxiety that only gets worse as time goes on. Connect with a teacher or counselor if you are feeling behind or overwhelmed.

Trollwood Performing Arts School is thrilled to invite students back into its facilities this winter for Trollwood Winter Academy! Registration is now open! Click here to register.

Trollwood Winter Academy offers a variety of youth performing arts classes, running from January 10 through February 19, 2023. These informative and unique sessions in vocal music, dance, improv, stage combat, and stage makeup are offered to middle school and high school students in Grades 5-12.

AVAILABLE CLASSES (click links for class descriptions):

• Middle School Musical Theatre Audition Prep (Grades 5-8)
• High School Musical Theatre Audition Prep (Grades 9-12)
• Improv (Ages 13-18)
• Stage Combat (Ages 13-18)
• Stage Makeup (Ages 13-18)

The U.S. Department of Education made a video feature about the Fargo-West Fargo Indian Education Program's Warrior Circle program for middle school and high school students. The Warrior Circle teaches students to use the “warrior mentality” of using Native American teaching, culture, tradition, morals, and mindfulness to confront the problems they face every day. Watch the video below.

The Fargo Salvation Army is offering a free toy distribution from it's Toy Shop for families that need help providing presents this holiday season. Parents needing toys for their children ages 12 and under, should visit the Fargo Salvation Army website to register to attend one of the Toy Shops. Registration is open until December 12.

Parents will receive an email containing the day and time that they will be scheduled to "shop" from a donated assortment of toys. The Toy Shop will be held December 20-21 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church south campus.

This newsletter is published weekly on Thursdays during the school year when classes are in session. Material for publication is due by noon on Tuesday of the week of desired publication.

Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000
Facebook: facebook.com/fargopublicschools
Twitter: @fargondschools