Fargo Public Schools will feature an array of enriching academic program opportunities for the 2024-25 school year. These programs are meticulously designed to cater to a diverse range of learning styles and academic needs, ensuring every student in the District has access to an education that resonates with and empowers them.

Read more about the learning opportunities that will be available to FPS students in this Cabinet Column by Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi. And view an overview of the available programs in the FPS Choice Options 2024-25 document.

The beginning of February signals the beginning of preparations in the Activities Department for the numerous tournaments hosted locally each year at the end of the winter sports season. The Metro Area Tournament Committee, which manages tournaments held in Fargo and West Fargo, is hosting state tournaments for wrestling, hockey, swimming and diving, and basketball this February and March.

Read more about the upcoming state tournaments in this Feature Column by Director of Student Activities Todd Olson.

Congratulations to Eagles Elementary School Special Education Teacher Amanda Hetland on being named the Fargo Public Schools 2024 Teacher of the Year last Thursday! The surprise announcement was made during an after-school staff meeting. Her work was celebrated by Eagles and FPS staff along with her family. Read more about her in this special edition of the District newsletter.

Happy National School Counseling Week! Thank you to our school counselors for helping to guide and support our students. Please thank a school counselor this week and show them you appreciate their hard work!

Congratulations to Margaret Johnson, art teacher at Lincoln Elementary School and Madison Elementary School, on being awarded the Legacy Flame Award by the School of Art at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She was presented the award by MSUM School of Art Chair Bradley Bachmeier at the Tri-State MSUM Art-A-Fair student artwork exhibition.

The Legacy Flame Award recognizes regional art teachers who have proven their dedication, contribution, impact and collaboration in the field of Art Education throughout their career. She is the second recipient of the award, following FPS Visual Arts Curriculum Facilitator Sharon Eide.

Congratulations to the 12 South High School students who signed National Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level on February 7. Read this media release to view a complete list of South signees.

Fargo Public Schools will release students two hours early from school on Friday, February 16. Contact your school for more information regarding early release days and how they will affect your child's schedule.

There will be NO SCHOOL on Monday, February 19 due to the Presidents Day holiday. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, February 20.

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.

Fargo North Theatre presents A Night of Theatre at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday February 8 and tomorrow, Friday, February 9. The performance features the student-directed musical number "That Beautiful Sound" from Beetlejuice the Musical; the student-directed one-act play, Little Women; and the one-act musical, Island Song. Tickets are $3 general admission and are available at the door.

Island Song tells the story of five contemporary New Yorkers as they pursue their passions, resist distraction, and live out a "twisted love affair" with the city. The musical captures every urbanite's triumphs, disappointments, and ever-tested perspective.

Discovery Middle School presents Shrek the Musical Jr. this week February 8-10. Thursday and Friday performances are at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. performance on Saturday.

Based on the beloved animated film and the Broadway musical, Shrek the Musical Jr. sees the ogre, Shrek, lead a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue the princess and find true acceptance.

AD-Ventures is a District publication intended to help families find activities for their children throughout our community. It is published on the first of each month during the school year (September through May).

AD-Ventures for Kids is for youth in grade levels K-5.

AD-Ventures for Teens is for youth in grade levels 6-8.

Be part of the magic and spend your summer on stage as a cast member of the Trollwood Mainstage Musical this summer. Auditions to join the cast of The Addams Family are February 17-18, with callbacks after school on February 19-20. Call 218.477.6500 or email trollwood@fargo.k12.nd.us to sign up for an audition time. Information on what to prepare is available at trollwood.org.

Be the Leader They Need! Fargo Public Schools is now hiring full-and part-time support staff positions including paraeducators, custodians, and food service workers. Learn more about these great opportunities to impact our community's youth and apply for a position today at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/apply.

Three-year-old Baker, son of Sixth Grade School Counselor Taylor Federer, learned a special lesson on the power of generosity and inspired others to give ahead of this year's Giving Hearts Day. Each students in Baker's preschool class at Peace Academy in Fargo was given $10 to donate to any organization they chose on Giving Hearts Day. After much discussion at home, Baker decided to donate his $10 to Liz's Closet at Discovery, the school's pantry that provides necessities to students in need.

Taylor Federer posted about her son's donation on Facebook and inspired more people to say they wanted to contribute to Liz's Closet. Combined with other's contributions, Baker wound up with more than $700 to donate to the cause.

Thank you to RDO for the generous donation of a $500 Giving Hearts Day gift card to the South High School Student Council to use toward a charity or charities of their choice. Kimberly Kemppanion, who serves on the RDO Community Responsibility Committee, dropped off the gift card on February 1.

The SHS Student Council General Assembly met and created a list of options to donate to on Giving Hearts Day. The list includes Full Circle Academy, Homeward Animal Shelter, and the South High School Backpack Program.

Giving Hearts Day, a 24-hour online giving event, is today, February 8. The day is a large fundraising event that benefits North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota non-profits. Each organization finds a sponsor to generously match donations. Trollwood Performing Arts School and the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation are both taking part. Tax deductible donations can be scheduled now.

Donate to Trollwood Performing Arts School

Donate to the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation

The Fargo Public Library is hosting the Paws for Reading event at the Downtown Main Library this Saturday, February 10 at 10 a.m. Children in grades K-6 can practice their reading skills by reading to a trained therapy dog from Therapy Pets of the Red River Valley. Pre-registration is required.

Seeing the number of school days held during the school year reach into the triple digits is cause for celebration. On Thursday, February 1 schools across the District celebrated the 100th day of school of the 2023-24 school year with events, activities, and theme days related to the number 100. Students took photos in the shape of the number 100, did 100-related arts and craft projects, dressed up like 100-year-olds, created museums out of 100 objects, participated in scavenger hunts, and more centennial activities.

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