The Journey
FPS e-Newsletter for December 21, 2023
- STAFF NEWS -
PowerSchool Training for Admin Users
There will be three in-person training sessions for PowerSchool admin users in winter and spring 2024.
PowerSchool Searches, Lists, & Reports
- January 22 at 3 p.m. DO PD Room 87
- Learn about different searches, how to create lists, save searches, and reports to run.
PowerSchool Dates and Clean Data
- March 4 at 3 p.m. in DO PD Room 87
- Dates and Clean Data are important when inputting information into PowerSchool. Learn where and why correct dates are so vital in PowerSchool.
PowerSchool End of Year Process and Next Year Enrollment
- May 9 at 3 p.m. – DO PD Room 87
- Learn what information needs to be correct in PowerSchool and how to find and view next year’s enrollment numbers.
Register for each session in Kickup or by clicking on the training(s) you want to attend. Training sessions will be canceled if there is not enough interest. Each session is limited to 25 people. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to PowerSchool Support Technician Stacy Haglund at 701.446.1030.
NDPERS Changes
Effective January 1, 2024, the employer contribution for the NDPERS Main Retirement Plan will increase due to legislative changes.
For members initially enrolled in the Main Plan before January 1, 2020:
- Employee Contribution: 7% (no change)
- Current Employer Contribution: 7.12%
- New Employer Contribution from 1/1/2024: 8.12%
- Retiree Health Credit remains at 1.14% with no changes.
For members initially enrolled in the Main 2020 Plan on or after January 1, 2020:
- Employee Contribution: 7% (no change)
- Current Employer Contribution: 8.26%
- New Employer Contribution from 1/1/2024: 9.26%
Retirement Longevity Deadline
The deadline for nine-month contracted, certified employees to submit a letter of intent to retire in order to retain eligibility for the longevity payment is January 15. Ten, 11, and 12-month certified staff must submit notice 90 days prior to the end of their contract for longevity purposes. Nine, 10, and 12-month hourly or salaried non-certified employees must give a 90-day notice prior to retirement to qualify. To receive a retirement packet, email humancapital@fargo.k12.nd.us.
Grant Opportunities
The Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation grant rounds for Innovative Education Grants and Mary Ellen Thompson Elementary Music Grants are open. Grants for classroom and teacher projects are awarded up to $2,500. Grant guidelines and application materials can be found here. Please contact the Foundation office at ext.1041 or through email at fpsfound@fargo.k12.nd.us with any questions. The application deadline for grants is January 8, 2024.
- SPOTLIGHT -
Cabinet Column - It Will Soon Be Time to Develop the 2025-2026 School Calendar
The Calendar Committee will begin meeting in January to develop the 2025-2026 school calendar. To assist the Calendar Committee with its work, every other year a survey is issued to parents, staff, and students to gather their perceptions about questions/issues that impact the development of the school calendar.
Read about the work of the Calendar Committee and view the results of the survey in this Cabinet Column by FPS Associate Superintendent Dr. Robert Grosz.
Feature Column - Phishing Campaign
In the realm of education, lessons extend beyond the classroom, and the recent cybersecurity initiative is a testament to that. Without much fanfare, the Fargo Public Schools IT department conducted a baseline phishing campaign, a simulated exercise designed to assess the District's collective ability to navigate the digital landscape securely.
Read about the recent phishing campaign and the District's cybersecurity work in this Feature Column by FPS Director of Information Technology Jarrod Finseth.
Feature Column - English Learner Family Nights
Held twice a month at Agassiz, English Learner Family Nights have become a staple, bringing together families, teachers, and students for a night of learning, connection, and joy. As the district proudly celebrates the success of the EL Family Nights, the most recent event, a holiday lights tour field trip, marked a milestone with a record-breaking attendance of 225 people.
Read more about the EL Family Nights and the first ever family field trip in this Feature Column by the English Learner Family Night Leadership Team (Nirosh Skalsky, Arati Heath, Tamara Hofmann, Peggy Tri, and Tracey Johnson).
Feature Column - The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of homeless students. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide homeless students the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning for homeless students as possible.
Read about the McKinney-Vento act, learn more about Fargo Public Schools' homeless data, and see messages from students experiencing homelessness in this Feature Column by FPS Homeless Liaison Jan Anderson.
Policy Matters - AP 3210 Purchasing Policy and AP 3211 Bidding Policies and Procedures
Board Policy (EL-9) requires all purchases made on behalf of the District to be executed in a fair, equitable, and legal manner using a process that helps ensure the best value for the District and its taxpayers. As such, all purchases must be in accordance with both the purchasing thresholds outlined in AP 3210 Purchasing Policy and North Dakota Century Code. Specifically, N.D.C.C. 15.1-09-34 requires all purchases greater than $50,000 to be awarded through a formal bid process unless a statutory exception exists. The bidding procedure and requirements are outlined in AP 3211 Bidding Policies and Procedure.
It is important to note that a violation of the $50,000 threshold requirement is a class B misdemeanor. Therefore, it is important to always consider the threshold requirements when making purchases. If you are not sure if a purchase meets the threshold or is exempt from the bidding requirements, please work with Business Services prior to making the purchase. In addition, only the Superintendent and the Business Manager can legally obligate the District. As a result, all purchases must be reviewed by Business Services.
- NEWSMAKERS -
NDASC President
Congratulations to Davies junior Flo Sherman on being elected North Dakota Association of Student Councils President at the NDASC State Conference held on December 10-12 in Bismarck.
More than 1,200 students from more than 90 schools attended the conference. Sherman, who serves as Davies Student Body Vice President, was elected president with the campaign slogan, " Don't Limit Yourself, Flo to Your Passion."
EDC Solo Band Outstanding Performers
Congratulations to the seven FPS students who earned Outstanding Performance distinction at the Eastern Dakota Conference Band Solo Festival on December 7 at Valley City State University! More than 500 students from the east side of the state performed solos for the judges.
The festival features five awards: State Star, Regional Star, I, II, and III. Traditionally top 25% earn State Star, the next 25% earn Regional Star, and the other 50% are designated as I, II, and III. Judges also can award one Outstanding Performance per category.
Evie Geiger, Davies, Clarinet
Kieran Huck, Davies, Horn
Brady Hecker, Davies, Bass Clarinet
Ryan Hamilton, Davies, Baritone Saxophone
Ariel Bahn, Davies, Piccolo
Caleb Roth, North, Mallets
Finn Kielty, North, Euphonium
Catalyst Certification
Congratulations to Discovery Middle School Teacher Meghan Stinar on being the first teacher to complete Catalyst Whole Group Certification while teaching at the middle school level!
The Catalyst Approach is a comprehensive professional development and implementation model based on observation of more than 50,000 classrooms and school-wide common spaces. It aims to accelerate deep implementation of skills that lead to the creation of improved classroom and school leadership, relationships, and culture.
NLI Signings
Congratulations to the Fargo Public Schools students who committed to continue their education and athletic careers at the next level on December 20! North High School's Peder Haugo and South High School's Reis Kessel both signed their National Letters of Intent to play football at North Dakota State University.
Haugo
Kessel
- YOUR FPS -
Early Release Day Tomorrow
Fargo Public Schools will release students two hours early from school tomorrow, Friday, December 22. Contact your school for more information regarding early release days and how they will affect your child's schedule.
Winter Break - December 25 to January 1
There will be NO SCHOOL from December 25 through January 1 due to Winter Break. Classes will resume as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, January 2.
LRFP Community Meetings
The community is invited to learn more about Fargo Public Schools and lend a voice about the future of the District at three Long-Range Facility Plan Community Meetings from 6-8 p.m. on January 9 at Davies High School, January 10 at South High School, and January 11 at North High School. There will also be a new LRFP Community Survey open from January 10-24.
The meetings will cover the results of the community survey issued in November and the current draft of the LRFP will be presented with an opportunity for attendees to provide feedback.
Emergency Lunch Fund
After enduring the devastating impact of COVID-19, an economic downturn, and the discontinuation of federal school lunch assistance, our community is facing an alarming rise in food insecurity. The Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation's Emergency Lunch Fund is working to ensure every child has access to meals at school irrespective of their financial status at home.
A donation to the Emergency Lunch Fund helps ensure that every child has access to a nutritious school meal alongside their peers, regardless of their financial situation. Every donation makes a difference in a child's life and helps to build a brighter future for our community.
Last year, the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation was able to wipe out $93,000 of meal debt with the help of kind donors. The 2023-24 projected school meal debt is expected to be $207,400. To date, thanks to donors, it has raised $52,000 towards eliminating this debt.
Donate online by clicking here or scanning the QR Code to the right, or mail a check to:
Fargo Public Schools Foundation
700 7th Street South
Fargo, ND 58103
Checks can be made payable to the FPS Foundation, write emergency lunch in the memo.
ECSE Community Friends Preschool Program Application
Fargo Public Schools' Early Childhood Special Education program is seeking Community Friends to join its preschool classrooms for the afternoon sessions. Community Friends are typically developing peers who will join the ECSE classrooms alongside the students with developmental delays or disabilities. Students must be 4 years old by July 31, 2023 and pass a developmental screening to be eligible for the program. The program is free of charge for families, but parents must provide transportation. The ECSE afternoon sessions are held from 12:10-2:40 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday through May 30. Apply for the ECSE Community Friends program.
FPS is Now Hiring
- COMMUNITY -
Milk Made School Lunch Donation
Thank you to Milk Made for the generous donation for the Emergency Lunch Fund! Megan Lewis and her team at Milk Made raised funds to help with the past due lunch accounts for students at Fargo Public Schools. Their donation provided 1,404 nutritious school lunches.
Providing students with nutritious meals is critical in enhancing their educational experience. An increasing number of families are unable to afford the cost, resulting in unpaid meal debt across the United States, including Fargo Public Schools. The 2023-24 projected school meal debt is expected to be $207,400. To date, the Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation has raised $52,000 towards eliminating this debt. Donate online.
Highway Patrol Toy Drive
Thank you to the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the local community for toys that were distributed to families in need in Fargo Public Schools! The North Dakota Highway Patrol held a toy drive and received toys to be donated from the community. Parents were able to come "shop" for free toys to give to their kids for the holidays.
FPSFCU School Food Pantry Donation
Fargo Public Schools Federal Credit Union conducted a fundraiser during the holiday season to support school food pantries. FPSFCU pledged to match donations up to $500, and their generous members surpassed the goal by contributing $657, culminating in a total donation of $1,157. Thank you to the FPSFCU and their members for their gracious support.
(Pictured left to right: Deb Stuhaug, FPSFCU Loan Manager; Bri Glenn, FPSFCU Marketing Coordinator; Mari Gagelin, FPSFCU President)
- IN FOCUS -
Social Studies Conference
Treat Deliveries
The kindergarteners in Ms. Eschbach's class at Centennial Elementary School have been delivering cards and treat bags to the school's staff this holiday season. They have been joined by the classroom elves Jingles and Twinkle. (Photo courtesy Chris Hayden)
Car Care
Holiday Bracelets
Winter Gathering
More than 275 students, families, and volunteers attended Fargo-West Fargo Native American Education Program Winter Gathering. The event featured fun activities for the whole family, a meal, gift bags, and an appearance by Santa Claus. (Photo courtesy Melody Staebner)
South Choirs
The South High School vocal performance groups Belle Orso Voci and the Bruin Singers took their shows on the road to bring some holiday cheer to the community. The group performed for an audience of shoppers in front of the fountains at West Acres as well as other community performances. (Photos courtesy Lauren Brandenburg and Sara Lichtblau)
Camp Read-a-Lot
The students at Ed Clapp Elementary School enjoyed all the fun of summer in the middle of the holiday season at the school's Camp Read-a-Lot literacy night. The students enjoyed reading and writing activities with a summer camp twist. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Schuldheisz)
Bennett Elf
Each morning Bennett Elementary School's Elf, Sprinkle, is in a new location to surprise the students. The students eagerly enter the building every morning to see where Sprinkle is and what the elf is up to. Some think the elf looks an awful lot like Bennett Assistant Principal Mrs. Frank. (Photo courtesy Sara Schafer)
Sushi Presentations
In Tricia Romaine's Cultures & Cuisines class at Davies High School, students made sushi with a variety of ingredients. They learned about Japanese sushi being a combination of healthy ingredients that include something from the mountains (rice) and something from the sea (seafood). They practiced beautiful presentations, and then sampled the sushi with chopsticks. (Photo courtesy Tricia Romaine)
Eighth Grade Tour
Eighth graders from Carl Ben Eielson Middle School got a look at their future academic home as they toured South High School on December 19. South Principal Dr. Todd Bertsch donned a cap and gown to talk to the students about Bruin CLASS (Character, Leadership, Attitude, Scholarship, and Service). Bruin Ambassadors led the eighth graders on a school tour and introduced them to South teachers. (Photo courtesy Adrienne Eider)
Knowledge Bowl
Concordia College hosted a Knowledge Bowl meet for more than 60 teams from North Dakota and Minnesota. Teams took a written test to establish rankings and then competed in four rounds against other teams. Two teams from Davies High School competed and finished third and 10th. (Photo courtesy Kendra Hansen)
A From Applebee's
Horace Mann Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher Miss Kimbro won the "A from Applebee's" prize from Big 98.7. She won a gift card and each student in her class receives a free meal at Applebee's. Miss Kimbro's friend nominated her and wrote a message about how the teacher goes above and beyond for her students. (Photo courtesy Melissa Tedford)
AMVETS Brake Repair
The Auto 2 class at South High School continued their relationship with the Fargo AMVETS Post 7 this December. The students repaired the brakes on the AMVETS colorguard van. The students did some other repairs on the van last month and noticed the brakes were in need of repair. (Photo courtesy Thomas Cross)
Holiday Movie Character Day
Ben Franklin Middle School had Holiday Movie Character Day as part of its Cheermeister Week leading up to the Holiday Break. Students and staff dressed up as their favorite characters from holiday movies including The Grinch, Elf, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more. (Photo courtesy Kirstin Hanson)
ECSE Holiday Meals
Early Childhood Special Education Student Wellness and Family Facilitator Katie King worked tirelessly to ensure that 30 families received gifts and a holiday meal thanks to help and donations from Bridging the Gap and Power Plate Meals. (Photo courtesy Donna Johnson)
Makerspace Challenge
Lewis & Clark Elementary School students participated in the Makerspace Design Challenge on December 20. The students competed to see who could build the largest snowman possible using marshmallows and toothpicks or the largest Christmas tree possible using marshmallows and spaghetti. (Photo courtesy Stacy Anderson)
Spartan Tartan
North High School teacher Keith Lehman was declared the winner of the Spartan Tartan week fundraiser. The math, English, social studies, and science departments nominate a representative to be lead the fundraiser. The individual who raises the most money is then kilted for the day. The fundraiser raised more than $1,300 to benefit the school's Open Door pantry that provides food, clothing, and other items for students in need. (Photo courtesy Travis Christensen)
Choir and Handchimes
The McKinley Elementary School choir and handchimes group performed a holiday concert for the staff at the FPS District Office. The young musicians performed a collection of holiday favorites to give the staff some holiday cheer as part of their performance tour.
- SPECIAL DEALS -
- IN THE NEWS -
Fargo Public Schools - The Journey
Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000