Spartan Spotlight
October 2019
Hello Spartan Families,
I sincerely hope that you and your child(ren) have had an enjoyable and successful start to the 2019-2020 school year. With about 950 students back in the hallways and so many of our Clubs, Sports, and Fine Arts activities up and running the start of the school year has been exciting. Of course, one of the things that has been on everyone’s radar for the past couple of months has been the construction project currently occurring to install artificial turf on our football / soccer field. This has been a very cool process to be involved in and I again want to mention how incredible it is that a number of individuals in our community have come together to financially make this project a reality. It truly is humbling to have this amount of support and I know that this addition to our campus will be a huge benefit for so many of our students. Unfortunately, the wet fall weather has slowed the process down a bit, but we are in the final stages and look to open the facility in early October. I know that this fall has not been easy for our football and soccer programs as they have not had a true home field, but I so appreciate their sacrifice in the short term for what will be such a long term benefit for these programs and so many more.
Last year we launched a couple of projects in the Activities Office and look to continue them this year. The first is a Spartan Spirit Card which in essence rewards students for attending FNH events. A number of local businesses have graciously agreed to participate in this program as well. The other program is Spartans Supporting Spartans in which we pair athletic programs with another in season program and ask them to be each other’s largest supporters as a means of trying to build excitement and support for all of our programs. The partnerships for this fall are: Girls Cross Country and Boys Tennis, Football and Girls Swim & Dive, Boys Soccer and Volleyball, Girls Golf and Boys Cross Country.
Please note that Parent-Teacher Conferences are set to occur on Thursday October 3rd and Monday October 7th. The academic success of our students is our #1 goal and we hope to have all parents take advantage of this opportunity to communicate and collaborate with your student’s teachers. Additional detailed information concerning times and locations can be found inside this newsletter. Additionally, on October 7th, we will be hosting Plan Your Future Night where parents and students can have many of their questions answered about college admissions, financial aid, employment and more. Also occurring on October 7th, we will have an informational booth set up for parents to learn more about vaping and e-cigarettes. This has been a growing health concern in our region and around the nation and we believe that having this information available to parents will be beneficial.
Finally, when you come into Parent-Teacher Conferences you will be able to see some of the new signage that the Fargo North Booster Club has put up in our concession lobby area. You can see some pictures of the upgrades here. The FNH Booster Club does so much for our school and our programs and has such an incredible positive impact for so many of our students. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Booster Club the membership information can be found here.
GO SPARTANS!!!
Travis Christensen
National Merit Scholar Semifinalists
Philip, Jacob and Cindy were selected as 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists. The 16,000 semifinalists represent less than 1% of high school seniors. Semifinalists will now advance further in the competition for more than $32 million in scholarships. National Merit Scholars will be announced in April 2020.
Report Cards
Starting this year, Fargo Public Schools will store report cards in PowerSchool for students and parents to view or print. These electronic records have the same effect as the original record according to ND School record retention law.
There are numerous advantages to storing report cards in PowerSchool over a traditional copy. The electronic version is secure and confidential, easily accessed and shared, environmentally friendly, can continually be updated, and is permanently archived.
1. Secure and confidential: PowerSchool security ensures confidential access by assigned role. Parents and guardians can only see their students’ records.
2. Easily accessible: Students, parents, and approved staff will be able to view report cards starting Fall 2019.
3. Go Green: Parents and students can now log into PowerSchool to view and/or print their report card once they are stored. This will reduce the amount of time needed for staff to print, organize, and distribute ` the reports to students and save a significant amount of paper per grading term.
The ASVAB test will be held at North High, on Wednesday October 16th and 8 a.m. in room 102. More information to come in announcements for sign-up and time.
PSAT
The PSAT will be offered at North High from 8 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. on October 16, 2019. The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Semifinalist Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is an optional test which targets juniors. A limited number of tests will be available.
Students who have registered to take the PSAT need to arrive by 7:45 a.m. at the Fitness Center for check-in and proceed to your assigned seating. (Note that the Wednesday late start DOES NOT APPLY for students taking the PSAT). Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. and will be completed by approximately 12:00 noon. At completion students will go to lunch then proceed to their period 5B class.
This is the only designated test date for North High. There are no provisions for late arrivals, so students must be in the testing room before timing begins.
Bring two no. 2 pencils with erasers and a scientific or graphing calculator. Social security number and e-mail address are optional. Reminder: No cell phones allowed in the testing room!
ZAPS ACT Prep Seminar
Attention all Students planning to take an ACT this year. Learn how to prepare for the Act by attending the Doorway to College “ZAPS ACT Prep Seminar” being held Saturday, October 19, 2019, at North High in Room 102. Register for the seminar at www.doorwaytocollege.com Cost is $95.
College Application Day
College application day will be held at North High in room 102, on Wednesday, October 23rd. More information will be in the announcements & newsletters for participating colleges and sign-up.
ACT/SAT Exam Schedule
The ACT and SAT are college entrance tests required by most 4-year colleges. Students should check with the specific school they plan to apply to for the test needed. These tests are generally taken during the latter part of a student’s junior year and during their senior year. Register on the websites for the tests at: www.actstudent.org & www.collegeboard.com.
North High School Code: 350-568
ACT Basic Fee: $50.50
ACT Plus Writing Fee: $67.00
Late Registration Additional Fee: $30.00
North High School Code: 350-568
SAT Fee $49.50 SAT with Essay $64.50
Late Registration Additional Fee: $30.00
Late Registration Fee: $25.00
Students are expected to be in their classes every day, except in the case of illness, school related activities, family emergency, or religious observance. It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that their children are in school unless a valid reason for absence exists. The Attendance Office asks that a student’s absence be reported by 9:00 a.m. If a student is not accounted for they will be recorded as truant. Please review the attendance policies found in our on-line student handbook. The Attendance Office may be reached by calling 446-2410 or 446-2411.
Student Messages
During the school day we will call your student to the office for a message only in an emergency situation. We ask that you please communicate with your student any information they may need for the day, prior to coming to school. (Ex: transportation, appointments, lunch money, etc.) Thank you.
After School Reminder
We ask that parents make transportation arrangements for students who don’t ride the bus or have their own transportation to be picked up as close to 3:45 P.M. as possible. We lock all doors to the locker bays and academic wings at 4:00 p.m. every day. After 4:00 p.m. students will not be allowed to enter these areas.
Students are asked to wait in the foyer doors to be picked up and not be hanging around in the building after 4:00 p.m. unless they are involved in an after school activity.
Senior Pictures
Senior pictures should be emailed to our yearbook adviser at fnhyearbook@fargoschools.org. Pictures are due by March 1, 2020. A $10.00 late fee will be accessed on pictures turned in after that date.
Any senior photos submitted to the Laconian yearbook committee must meet the following regulations:
· Vertical orientation.
· 300 resolution (required for digital photos).
· In accordance with the school district’s weapons policy (Policy 5355), no weapons of any kind.
· Must follow school dress code with the exception of school issued uniforms.
· Domesticated house pets are allowed.
· Only single-subject photos.
· No accessories or props condoning or promoting illegal activity.
· Deadline for senior photos must be met.
Yearbook editors have the right to refuse any pictures deemed inappropriate. Students will be asked to provide another picture if requirements are not met or if picture is inappropriate.
Winter Co-Curricular Meeting
Ben Franklin Junior High School will hold a winter co-curricular meeting on Monday, November 4th at 5:30 p.m. in Gym 2. This meeting is for all freshmen or first time participants in an activity that have not already attended a meeting.
This is the only winter co-curricular meeting being offered
PTSA Monthly Meeting
Important Contact Numbers
North High Main Office
Main Office - 446-2400
Andy Dahlen, Principal - 446-2404
Mark Blanshan, Assistant Principal - 446-2499
Travis Christensen, Asst. Prin./Activities Dir - 446-2407
Kathy Cieslak, Assistant Principal - 446-2406
Jessica Geir, Administrative Asst. - 446-2405
Della Nystrom, Bookkeeper - 446-2409
Keri VanEnk, Activities Secretary - 446-2408
ATTENDANCE OFFICE
Stacey Bush - 446-2410
Wendy Peterson - 446-2411
COUNSELING OFFICE
Nikki Brandenburger, Registrar/Secretary - 446-2412
COUNSELORS
Terri Court (A - F) - 446-2415
Mandy Orth Gibney (G - K) - 446-2416
Janelle Stahl Ladbury (L - R) - 446-2414
Kate Evenson (S - Z) - 446-2417
STUDENT SERVICES
Jamie Benson, Student Wellness & Family Facilitator - 446-2494
Mary Krueger, Student Wellness & Family Facilitator - 446-2456
Hannalee Shaw, Career Resource Center - 446-2413
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
Officer Jason Abel, SRO - 446-2631
SCHOOL NURSE
Brenda Weisenberger, School Nurse - 446-2486
ATHLETIC TRAINER
J.D. Darling - 446-2447
Jordan Wolf - 446-2447
NUTRITION SERVICES
Tammie Schaffer - 446-2517
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
- October 3 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. open 6:15 -7:55 p.m. scheduled
- October 7 - Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. open
- October 7 - Plan Your Future Night 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- October 14 - PTSA Meeting 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- October 16 - PSAT Test
- October 16 - ASVAB test
- October 17 & 18 - NDCEL Conference - No School
- October 19 - ZAPS ACT Prep Seminar
- October 21 - Staff Professional Development - No School
- October 23 - College Application Day
- October 25 - End of First Quarter
Fargo North High School
Andy Dahlen, Principal - 446-2404
Travis Christensen, Activities Director - 446-2407
Mark Blanshan, Asst. Principal - 446-2499
Kathy Cieslak, Asst. Principal - 446-2406
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us/North
Location: 801 17th Avenue North, Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-446-2400