Dakota High School students received broccoli and chicken from the Emergency Food Pantry on Wednesday. The Rising Bread company donated the rest of the ingredients. The students made 20 gallons of chicken, broccoli, and cheese soup. Several students & staff enjoyed a few bowls while it was hot. All but 5 containers went home with the students.

On Tuesday, April 11th, we hosted a building variety show with staff and students from our various programs to come together in an effort to promote a positive environment for all at Agassiz.

Some acts included several generations and represented countries from around the world. For example, acts like street drumming; traditional cultural dances and songs from Bhutan, Nepal, and Latin America; Even Start music; Early Childhood Special Education Center Dancers; staff musicians; and humorous skits. The show has truly lived up to its billing as a “variety” show. 😊

The event is staged to continue to promote interactions between the participants of the educational programs housed at Agassiz and to continue building a positive culture throughout the building.

Arati Heath, administrative assistant for the English Learner and Summer School programs at the Agassiz Building, has been named the Fargo Public Schools Support Staff of the Year. FPS Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi and Dakota High School Principal David Burkman made the surprise announcement today at the Agassiz Building during the building’s annual talent show.

She is described as an individual who, “takes pride in doing excellent work excellently,” and “believes that life is about helping others in a way that shows they matter and are valued.”

In her role with the English Learner program, Heath collaborates with the administrative assistants and EL teachers at all of Fargo Public Schools’ buildings. The EL team serves more than 900 students across 23 sites. She is the primary communicator with District interpreter services and the English Learner Family Liaison Program, which aims to improve school-family communication and understanding for EL students. She also works closely with the EL K-5 summer school program at Agassiz, which serves 180 students each summer. Heath is originally from Nepal and steps in as a Nepali interpreter when necessary.

Heath, along with three others, is a key organizer of English Learner Family Nights at Agassiz. The bimonthly meetings, which began in 2021, feature a meal, arts and crafts, games, and breakout learning by age group. The events are attended by an average of about 70 individuals, ranging in age from newborn to 65 years or older. One of her nominators says that Heath “goes above and beyond expectations to make sure every family night is an engaging, worthwhile event.”

As an administrative assistant for the FPS Summer School program, Heath collaborates on the leadership team that oversees summer programs for middle school, high school, ELD, and music and sports camps. FPS Summer School serves more than 1,200 students each summer. Heath provides input and leadership with all summer school details, including pre-registration, registration, staff communication, budgets, payroll, state reporting, general inquiries, and more.

Heath began with Fargo Public Schools as a special education paraeducator at Roosevelt Elementary School in 2018. She moved into her role as an administrative assistant at Agassiz in 2020. Prior to beginning with Fargo Public Schools, Heath worked at Noridian Healthcare Solutions as a customer service representative and a redeterminations examiner, and at Bethany Homes as a certified nursing assistant.