The District Insider
Volume 10, Issue 7 | February 2023
Grand Forks Public Schools to Participate in Giving Hearts Day
Grand Forks Public Schools, through the Grand Forks Foundation for Education, will participate in Giving Hearts Day on February 9.
Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online fundraiser for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. The event is hosted by the Dakota Medical Foundation, the Impact Foundation, and the Alex Stern Foundation.
The Foundation is raising funds for the Access for All Scholarship fund, providing students and their families access to counseling services at Northern Prairie Community Clinic on the University of North Dakota campus, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2021 alone, over 1,000 sessions were provided, which supported students in every building across the school system.
“This fund got to a critically low level this summer,” said Foundation executive director Emilia Hodgson. “Awareness of mental health and its impacts on our youth has been a topic of conversation in recent years, especially coming out of the pandemic. We are thankful that, with the help of our donors, we have made an impact.”
“Because of Access for All, the Northern Prairie Community Clinic has been able to exponentially increase the number of mental health sessions offered to Grand Forks Public Schools students and their families,” said NPCC co-director Melissa Quincer. “It is impossible to calculate just how large of an impact this has had on the overall mental health landscape of Grand Forks. However, the reactions and growth of each individual client speak volumes to the work that Access for All is doing.”
Donors who want to support the Access for All Fund can donate on February 9, 2023 at givingheartsday.org. Gifts can also be scheduled on that website through February 7.
For more information, please contact Hodgson at 701.787.4867 or ehodgson290@mygfschools.org.
The longest-running giving day in the country, Giving Hearts Day has helped participating charities raise more than $112 million since its founding in 2008.
Thirteen Students Named Candidates for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Thirteen Grand Forks Public Schools seniors have been named candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program are:
- Seoyeon Ahn, Red River
- Noura Elhamadany, Red River
- Matthew Evans, Red River
- Nauman Farid, Red River
- Brett Feller, Red River
- Mary Flynn, Red River
- Alishba Khan, Red River
- Emily Nelson, Red River
- Quinn Roehl, Grand Forks Central
- Megan Schill, Grand Forks Central
Candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in Career and Technical Education (CTE) are:
Kaylee Anderson, Grand Forks Central
Kaylee Kirkeby, Grand Forks Central
Clarkson Sande, Red River
Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors distinguished graduating seniors across the nation. In 2015, the program was extended again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
A committee of qualified individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education will evaluate the candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay.
Each year, up to 161 students will be chosen as Presidential Scholars, including at least two North Dakotans.
All 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be selected by the Commission and will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
Grand Forks Public Schools Receive Math Grant
Grand Forks Public Schools has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) through the >Math in North Dakota program.
The grant was made available due to ESSER III funds and promotes using blended learning instructional approaches in 3rd-8th grade math classrooms. The goal is to increase math growth and close students’ math gaps by implementing a high-quality blended learning model.
Blended learning combines face-to-face instruction with online learning by leveraging technology to assist educators in diagnosing students’ prior knowledge, differentiating academic paths for each student, and adjusting lesson execution.
Training sessions will be held this spring, with implementation scheduled for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.
Grand Forks Central Names New Head Girls’ Track and Field Coach
Grand Forks Public Schools is pleased to announce Lindi Chadwick has accepted the Head Girls’ Track and Field Coach position at Grand Forks Central High School.
“Lindi is an energetic coach that will continue to develop a positive track culture here at Grand Forks Central,” said Tony Bina, athletic director at Grand Forks Central High School. “She has a diverse background in track and field events as a coach and athlete, allowing her to implement current and new ideas in the program."
Chadwick has previously served as a graduate assistant coach for two years at the University of Jamestown (N.D.) following her collegiate career at Jamestown as a cross country and track and field runner.
She is currently a physical education teacher at Century and Viking elementary schools.
Early Childhood Awareness Day
Heather Chatham, early childhood literacy coordinator, recently had the opportunity to represent Grand Forks Public Schools at Early Childhood Awareness Day at the state capitol in Bismarck.
"We were excited to show that GFPS is committed to supporting all of Grand Forks' early learners along with their families, teachers, and caregivers," said Chatham. "We had state representatives playing with Alphabots and stepping over floor puzzles while listening to the wonderful sounds of laughter. There were language exchanges of early learners right there in the Great Hall during an active and exciting legislative session. It was a privilege to show our state representatives the passion and dedication that Grand Forks has for our early learning community."
Heather's daughter Kailynn, an 8th grader at Schroeder Middle School, is shown below discussing her multilingual and cultural early childhood experiences with North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler.
Pictured below with Heather is former Grand Forks Public Schools Superintendent and current ND Representative Dr. Mark Sanford.
Wall of Champions
Alex Hedlund and students at Valley Middle School created a "Wall of Champions" at the school and are highlighting alumni of the school and sharing information on where they are now.
Examples of Excellence
- Congratulations to the following teachers on receiving mini-grants from CF Industries: $900 for Sara Tezel and Community High School; $290 for Nancy Greenwood and Grand Forks Central High School; $410 for Lindsay Fugleberg and Red River High School.
Congratulations to the Schroeder 7th and 8th grade Choirs for being selected to perform as a Showcase Choir at the state ND-ACDA conference on February 3, 2023! Choirs from all different levels across the state sent in recordings which were then reviewed by choral experts from around the nation. Of all the submissions, only three groups were chosen, Schroeder being one of them! The choirs will travel to Bismarck to perform as part of the Showcase Concert.
Congratulations to Naomi Rahman, Red River sophomore, (shown below) on winning the ND HOSA pin design contest! Her design will be used at the state HOSA conference and at the HOSA International Leadership Conference. HOSA is an international career and technical student organization that empowers future health professionals.
- Congratulations to Sudiksha Singhal (senior at Red River) on taking 1st place in the Lincoln Douglas I debate at the recent competition in Fargo. Sudiksha is shown below in the back row, center.
Now Hiring!
Upcoming Events
- February 8: Early release (Twining/middle/high schools: 1 p.m., elementary schools: 1:30 p.m.)
- February 13: Grand Forks School Board meeting (Mark Sanford Education Center, 6 p.m.)
- February 16-17: No school K-12 (professional development); District Office closes at 4 p.m.
- February 21: Grand Forks Air Force Base School Board meeting (Nathan Twining Elementary and Middle School, 12 p.m.)
- February 22: Early release (Twining/middle/high schools: 1 p.m., elementary schools: 1:30 p.m.)
- February 24: End of 2nd trimester (elementary schools)
- February 27: Grand Forks School Board meeting (Mark Sanford Education Center, 6 p.m.)
Description of photo above: Red River Winter Comedy. Neil Simon's "Rumors." February 2-4 at 7 p.m. and February 5 at 2 p.m. Red River Small Theater
Description of photo above: Grand Forks Central Musical Production. "Nice Work...If You Can Get It!" February 23-25 at 7 p.m. in the Grand Forks Central Auditorium. Adults $10, Students/Seniors $6.