SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for February 15, 2024
- SPOTLIGHT -
Feature Column - Understanding the FPS Response to Crisis: Psychological Support Manual
Read more about the Response to Crisis: Psychological Support Manual in this Feature Column by Assistant Director of Educational Justice Dr. Jen Sahr.
- NEWSMAKERS -
Cass County Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Ben Franklin Middle School student Luna Gasevic on winning the Cass County Spelling Bee. Gasevic's winning word was "impingement." Discovery Middle School's Merryn Johnson placed second.
Gasevic and Johnson will advance to the North Dakota State Spelling Bee on March 18 at the Bismarck Events Center. The winner of the state bee will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.
Gasevic
Johnson
Academic All State
Congratulations to all Fargo Public Schools student athletes selected to the North Dakota Academic All-State Team! The Academic All-State Team is selected by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (NDASSP). A total of 199 high school seniors were nominated for the honor in Class AA, Class A, and Class B. Students were selected based on grade point averages, ACT or SAT scores, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and leadership. Click here to view the full Class A Academic All-State Team.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze Team members will receive an honor medallion. The medallions will be presented to the students at a ceremony at their school. WDAY and Forum Communications will air a digital presentation honoring all the Class AA medalists on Friday, March 8, between the boy's basketball state semifinal games.
National Coach of the Year Nominees
Congratulations to Davies High School Girls Soccer Coach Nick Christianson and North High School Girls Swimming & Diving Coach Talia Butery on being named National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Coach of the Year Nominees! The National Coach of the Year winners will be announced at the NHSACA Convention on June 26 at the Bismarck Hotel & Conference Center.
Christianson
Butery
National School Counseling Week
A previous version of a video released last week in an attempt to honor Fargo Public Schools' school counselors during National School Counseling Week mistakenly omitted several school counselors. We apologize to anybody who was hurt by not being included in the video. A new version of this video is posted below. All of our school counselors are important and valued and we thank you for your hard work!
- YOUR FPS -
Early Release Day Tomorrow
Fargo Public Schools will release students two hours early from school TOMORROW, Friday, February 16. Contact your school for more information regarding early release days and how they will affect your child's schedule.
No School February 19
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.
Kindergarten Registration
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.
FPS is Hiring
- FEATURE -
Big Bad Wolf v. Three Little Piggies
The fifth grade gifted and talented students at Clara Barton Elementary School held a mock trial in which the Big Bad Wolf sued the Three Little Piggies for slander and assault. The Big Bad Wolf claimed that he burned himself on the piggies' cookpot and saw his name in the paper. While preparing for the trial, the fifth graders received lessons from real lawyers about analyzing evidence. They then built their cases for and against the Big Bad Wolf.
- COMMUNITY -
Superintendent's Student Cabinet
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler is asking North Dakota students to apply to serve on her Superintendent’s Student Cabinet, which offers an opportunity for young people to advise her about ways to improve K-12 education.
Any student in grades 3-12 who attends a North Dakota public or nonpublic K-12 school, or who is in the first year of attending a North Dakota college, is eligible to apply. Student Cabinet terms last about 18 months. Meetings are typically held at the state Capitol in Bismarck every three months.
The Student Cabinet application form is on the Department of Public Instruction’s website. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on April 5. Applications may be emailed to dpipa@nd.gov, faxed to 701.328.0203, or mailed to the Department of Public Instruction, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 201, Bismarck, N.D., 58505.
- BOARD FOCUS -
Board Column - Long-Range Facility Plan Community Engagement
Read more about the CEA Committee's work to inform the community about the LRFP in this Board Column by Board Member Dr. Tracie Newman.
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 February 13 regular meeting of the School Board.
- IN FOCUS -
Miss ND USA Reading
Workforce Wednesday
South High School held a Workforce Wednesday event featuring McDonald's on February 7. Representatives from the fast food chain discussed employment opportunities with students, explained benefits offered by the company, and let students spin a wheel to win a prize. (Photo courtesy Shannon Mortrud)
Bingo Buddies
First graders and fifth graders at Centennial Elementary School joined together for game time last week. The first graders teamed up with their fifth grade buddies to bond and play Bingo. (Photo courtesy Kellie Haaby)
CPR Training
Virtual Academy students participated in CPR training led by Davies school nurse and CPR instructor Beth Kobbervig. The students received American Red Cross CPR and AED certification. The class helps the students achieve one of the ND Choice Ready, Workforce Ready indicators. (Photo courtesy Vanessa Boehm)
Appreciated Custodians
The South High School Student Council showed their appreciation for the custodial staff on Valentine's Day as part of the school's celebration of Kindness Week. The student council left thank you notes along with treats and decorations for the custodians. (Photo courtesy Rachel Heggen)
Smart Talk Presentation
The Carl Ben Eielson PTA applied for and received a National PTA Smart Talk grant sponsored by Norton this school year. Special Agent Jesse Smith from the ND Bureau of Criminal Investigation, his K-9 partner Jib, and Victim Advocate Jill Krone presented a Smart Talk to help families make better online choices. (Photo courtesy Darla Bakko)
Sensory Room
The Peer-to-Peer class at North High School created a sensory room for students to utilize during the day. The room will be available to students in the special education program, as well as students who are recommended by their counselors. The Peer-to-Peer students, Katherine Briggs, Angelea Collins, Paris Foots, Lily Hamel, Kaelynn Merz, Autumn Smith, and Elena Terrell, were tasked with presenting a proposal to a panel of North High Administration and CTE staff outlining their vision for the room. The panel awarded the bid to the group with the most innovative plan and then the entire class worked together to put it into effect. (Photo courtesy Tammy Graber)
- IN THE NEWS -
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