SchoolTalk

To foster greater engagement and align its efforts with District strategic objectives, the Teaching and Learning team is introducing a key initiative: the implementation of Leadership Rounding. These strategies aim to enhance communication, boost staff satisfaction, and strengthen ties between district leadership and school-based staff.

Read more about Leadership Rounding in this Cabinet Column by FPS Associate Superintendent Missy Eidsness.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that provides important educational rights and services to Pre-K through 12th grade children and youth experiencing homelessness. There were 367 FPS students identified as experiencing homelessness during the 2023-24 school year and more than 100 have been identified this school year.

Read more about the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Act in this Feature Column by FPS Homeless Liaison Jan Anderson.

Fargo Public Schools is excited to introduce the Mental Health Series Platform from ParentGuidance.org, a powerful new resource designed to support family mental health and well-being. Experts agree that adult involvement is important in a child's success. When caregivers have helpful tools, it benefits children, strengthens families, and contributes to a thriving community.

Read more about the Mental Health Series Platform and how to access its mental health supports in this Feature Column by FPS Assistant Director of Education Supports Dr. Jen Sahr.

When a child's needs are met, they can find success in the classroom and beyond. The Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation and the United Way of Cass-Clay are teaming up for the Beyond the Books Giving Day on September 18 to help meet the needs of students in Fargo Public Schools.

Make a change by donating on the Beyond the Books Giving Day at one of these organizations:

• FPS Development Foundation
• United Way of Cass-Clay

A donation to the United Way of Cass-Clay of:

• $20 provides one child with a backpack of school supplies.
• $50 provides a family 2 nights of stable housing.
• $100 provides one student with food every weekend for a year.

A donation to the FPS Development Foundation of:

• $20 will provide 8 elementary school lunches, or 7 middle and high school lunches.
• $32 will pay for milk for one student per semester.
• $33 will provide 20 pounds of food and basic needs supplies for elementary, middle, and high school food pantries.
• $50 provides snacks for a year for one student.

Fargo Public Schools wants to hear from you! We are conducting a research project to learn what our community thinks about a number of important issues for our school district, including our Long-Range Facilities Plan. FPS has hired an independent research firm, Creative Entourage Research, to gather input, and a representative from that firm will lead input sessions with various community stakeholders. From the input sessions, questions will be developed for a phone and electronic survey of our larger community. Survey results will be presented to the Fargo Board of Education in January to assist them in decision-making for a potential bond referendum to fund the Long-Range Facilities Plan.

A total of 20 current parents of FPS students are needed to participate in an input session on Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m. at the District Office PD Room, located at 700 7th Street South in Fargo. If more parents volunteer than the session can accommodate, a randomized selection process will occur. Participants must live within the Fargo Public Schools attendance boundary.

To volunteer for this input session, please complete this form. The form will close on Wednesday, September 18 at 7 p.m. All volunteers will be contacted after the form’s closure.

Listening to our community is a high priority for the future of our schools; please volunteer to participate in this important effort! Contact Director of Facilities James Hand at handj@fargo.k12.nd.us with any questions.

The North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders is accepting nominations from teachers and community members for Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Community members and teachers are encouraged to nominate a deserving principal who consistently goes above and beyond to inspire excellence in education!

Nominate a high school or middle school principal.

Nominate an elementary school principal.

Nominations for secondary principals are open until October 20 and nominations for elementary principals are open until November 11. Winners will be announced at the NDCEL Mid-Winter Conference on February 5-7.

Please opt-in to receive text messages from Fargo Public Schools. FPS has switched to a new mass communication system for the 2024-25 school year and you MUST opt-in to receive text messages from FPS. If you do not opt-in, you could miss important information from our school or the District. You can opt-in at any time by texting the word “YES” to 79041.

Do we show up in your news feed? Follow Fargo Public Schools on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) to keep up on all of the exciting things happening across the District and make sure you don't miss out on important announcements!

• Instagram: fargopublicschools
• Facebook: Fargo Public Schools
• X (Twitter): @FargoNDSchools

Students at Bennett Elementary School didn't need an alarm clock or a shower to get them amped up and ready for the day on September 6. They had the crack of the snare drum and the boom of the bass to get them going before school as they were greeted by a performance by the Davies High School Drumline. The drumline will perform before school at three more schools on Fridays this September.

Thank you to Fargo Kiwanis for the generous donation to Trollwood Performing Arts School's STAR Program! This money will help youth facing extraordinary challenges receive free arts training, transportation, class supplies, and meals as well as guidance from caring adults to help them reach their full potential.

The FPS community is invited to join a 1-hour webinar to learn about FirstLink, the center that answers the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the 211 Information & Referral Helpline. This session will provide an overview of these critical services, offer guidance on how you can help connect those in need with compassionate, nonjudgmental support, and answer your questions about 988 or 211. See flyer for more information.

The webinar will be from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, September 26 on Microsoft Teams. Register Here.

This is a great opportunity to enhance your knowledge and be better prepared to support others. For any questions, contact FirstLink's outreach team or Assistant Director of Educational Justice Dr. Jen Sahr.

Registration for the Fargo Salvation Army's Coats for Kids & Families winter coat and gear distribution event is happening now. Registration must be completed in person at The Salvation Army (304 Roberts Street, Fargo) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday-Friday, September 2-27. Identification documents are required. More information about the event and a full list of accepted forms of ID are available at the Fargo-Moorhead Salvation Army website. Families must pre-register to be eligible to receive a coat.

The Fargo Salvation Army will be accepting donations of new and gently used winter coats at all Fargo-Moorhead Hornbacher's locations beginning September 20.

North Dakota families have the special opportunity to take part in a series of free, virtual events designed to support and inspire our community, and are especially geared toward teens and young adults. Developed by the creative team behind Rugrats, The Simpsons, and The Wild Thornberrys – My Life is Worth Living tells powerful stories of seven characters overcoming mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.

Presented by the Cook Center for Human Connection, these family-friendly events will be hosted monthly from September 2024 to May 2025. The first event is September 25 at 6 p.m., covering the topic of “What Parents Need to Know About Suicide Prevention.” View more information and register.

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 September 10 regular meeting of the School Board.

Ben Franklin Middle School's Team 6-3 got out of the building to get to know each other better. The sixth grade team went to Roosevelt Park to participate in team and relationship building activities outside in the sunshine. (Photos courtesy Alana Gardner)

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