Spartan Spotlight
March 2021
Hello Spartan Families,
It is hard to put into words the experiences we have all had over the past year as COVID as cast a shadow over everything in our lives. On Friday March 13th I was working the State Basketball Tournament and we ended up suspending play in the middle of the day and the remaining games never got played. Likewise, that Friday was the last in-building school day for our students for the remainder of the school year. Moving into this school year there have been many questions, many schedules and many changes. However, I am so excited that we have the opportunity to have students back in the building and meeting in person with their teachers. Mitigation measures such as masks being worn by students and staff and disinfecting schedules being increased are still in place and we are all hopeful that we can continue to make progress getting back to “normal” through the rest of the school year.
Along with the excitement of the return of students to our classrooms and hallways is also the excitement that we are still able to offer so many of the co-curricular activity opportunities to our students. Our Winter athletic teams are in the midst of “tournament time” and our Spring programs are anxiously awaiting the chance to have a season this year. Additionally, our Fine Arts programming is beginning to return as well. Our music department has Choir and Orchestra concerts scheduled on March 4th and March 9th respectively and our Speech team is set to host their home event on March 27th. Our Theater students just wrapped up the virtual performances of their one act play and are jumping right into preparation of their Musical “Tuck Everlasting” which is scheduled for in person performances May 6th – 9th. As always I would encourage individuals to access our school calendar website (https://www.easterndakotaconference.org/public/genie/187/school/44/) for more details on dates and times of activities as well as streaming links to many of our activities.
Finally, if any student-athletes have ambitions of competing at the college level please connect with your Counselor about creating an NCAA and/or NAIA eligibility center account. This can and should be done as early as a student’s sophomore year. More information can be found at these links.
o NCAA: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
o NAIA: http://www.playnaia.org/
GO SPARTANS!
Assistant Principal / Activities Coordinator
Music All-State
Aarya Panwalker
- Flute - Band
Amadine Mouche
- Flute - Band
Isabelle Haugen
- Flute - Band
Jocelyn Sveet
- Horn - Band
Wyatt Vanburren
- Tuba - Band
Daniel Boutain
- Trumpet - Band
Xzavier Buckmiller
- Tenor Sax - Jazz Band
Alex Flores
- Tenor Sax - Jazz Band
Riley Johnson
- Drums - Jazz Band
Evelyn Gould
- Soprano - Mixed Choir
Vivian Behm
- Soprano - Treble Choir
Catherine Bailey
- Soprano - Treble Choir
Grace Lanners
- Alto - Treble Choir
Natalie Syverson
- Alto - Treble Choir
Paul Meidinger
- Tenor - Jazz Choir
Abhijna Kavasseri
- Soprano - Choir
Melinda Chen
- Violin - Orchestra
Laura Simmons
- Violin - Orchestra
Simon Pryor
- Violin - Orchestra
Ben Wagner
- Violin - Orchestra
Jaron Dufault
- Cello - Orchestra
VFW Voice of Democracy Essay Winner
Amy Peterson, junior at Fargo North, was awarded 3rd place by the VFW’s Voice of Democracy essay contest at the District level. This year’s theme was, Is this the Country the Founders Envisioned? Pictured with Peterson (middle) is Dale Johnson (left), and Dave Rice (right) of the Fargo VFW Post 762.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to girls hockey
Congratulations to the Girls Hockey team on their 2nd place finish at State!
Congratulations to Boys Swimming & Diving
Congratulations to Boys Swimming & Diving team on their 3rd place finish at EDC!
Congratulations to the following boys for taking first place in these events:
- Mickey Kenney - 100 Fly
- Beau Hager - 100 Back
- Mickey Kenney, Brekken Mineer, Beau Hager, and Noah Hoffman - 400 Free Relay
Congratulations to the Wrestling Team
- Danny Monatukwa - placed 4th in the 126 pound weight class.
- Billy Ward - placed 8th in the 160 pound weight class
Congratulations to the following Academic All-State Wrestlers:
- Cal Bratton
- Chase Hansen
- Augustus Maughan
- Henry Maughan
- Jack Miller
- Danny Monatukwa
- Billy Ward
- Josh Worral
Donation
Thank you to Mary and Mike Shulstad for their donation to North High School's special education-multiple impairments class. The funds are in remembrance of their son, John Shulstad, a North student who passed away due to pneumonia complications in May 2020. This gift will support opportunities for others with John’s determination to never be defined by anyone but himself. Pictured with the Shulstad's are Adam Throndset (L) and Andy Dahlen (R)
Spring Break Meals
Fargo Public Schools (FPS) is offering FREE food assistance for enrolled FPS students while school is closed for Spring Break March 15-19. Food boxes will be available to all students regardless of financial means to ensure all have access to food when not in school. All students, whether learning in-person or in the Virtual Academy, are encouraged to participate. Food boxes must be preordered.
What: FREE Spring Break Food Boxes
Order Deadline:
- Tuesday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m.
Pickup Time:
- Thursday, March 11
- 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Pickup Location:
- FPS Operations Center
- 3901 40th Avenue South
Click here to preorder food boxes.
*Families with more than one student must place separate orders for each student.
High School Meals
Meals will continue to be provided to students at no cost until the end of the school year.
Virtual Academy students who wish to receive meals are still required to fill out forms for Meals. These meals will be picked up at door #8 (North side on 19th Ave) on Fridays from 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm.
Prom
This year's theme is MASKerade… like masquerade, but covid friendly.
Grand March:
- April 17th, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the Spartandome
- Masks are required EXCEPT for during your walk
- Temperature check beforehand
- Each couple will get 4 vouchers for guests
- Everyone will be required to leave within 10 minutes after the march (due to COVID)
The Dance:
- April 17th, 8:00 - 10:30pm in the fitness center
- Masks are required
- No food will be served this year due to COVID
Post-Prom:
- April 17th at 11:00 pm - 3:00 am in the NDSU Memorial Union
- There will be a temperature check here as well
Expect great food, fun games, and awesome prizes
Cost of admittance is included in your Prom ticket. If you are NOT attending prom, cost is $5 per person
Tickets are $25 per couple. More info will be sent out when tickets are available for purchase.
National Honor Society
The last National Honor Society meeting of the year will be an in-person meeting on Friday, March 26 at 8:00 a.m. in the North High Theatre. This meeting will serve as a practice for the induction ceremony that will occur on Monday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. in the North High Theatre.
Current senior members and newly-invited junior and senior members are required to be in attendance both at the last meeting and the induction ceremony. Each student being inducted or honored will be able to bring two guests to attend. Masks will be required for this event. More information will be forthcoming to students about membership in the next two weeks.
Spring SPORTS PRACTICE DATES
The NDHSAA has outlined the starting dates for spring activities. Please check out the following information and contact the coach if you have any questions or concerns.
Track: March 1 - Keith Lehman - lehmank@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-2764/Gary Mailloux - maillga@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-730-8194
- Students/Parents please email coaches with your email address to be included in the email group and receive a video presentation to view.
Baseball: March 22 - Nate Walsh - walshn@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-276
- For more information see the baseball website
Softball: March 22 -Taylor Moore - mooret@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-2958
Girls Soccer: March 29 - Hunter Brekke - brekkeh@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-3427
- For more information see the soccer website
Girls Tennis: April 5 - Steve Saville - savills@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-3784
Boys Golf: April 12 - Mike Dobberstein - dobberm@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701-446-2462
Physical & Concussion Forms
Prior to participating in NDHSAA sanctioned athletic activities (including practice), the student must have on file with the school a current NDHSAA approved physical and concussion form. Preparticipation Physical Examinations completed for the 2019-20 school year will be accepted during the 2020-21 school year upon submission of a parent and athlete signed waiver (previously known as Form B). Students who did not have a Preparticipation Physical Examinations completed for the 2019-20 school year must complete a Preparticipation Physical Examinations completed for the 2020-21 school year. The NDHSAA recently approved a new physical form for use beginning April 15, 2020. The new physical forms are available for download from the NDHSAA website.
When you completed your student’s online registration there was a question asking if your student is participating in a sport. If yes, you were directed to the required online concussion and HIPPA forms to sign electronically.
Paper copies will not be accepted.
Co-Curricular Meetings
All students planning to participate in any co-curricular activity (i.e. Athletics, Music, Drama, Speech, Debate, Student Congress, DECA, FBLA, Skills USA, etc.) and their parent/guardian should refer to and complete their co-curricular meeting online.
This meeting can be viewed online via the registration forms in each parent’s PowerSchool account. When you registered your student you were directed to view the online co-curricular meeting at that time.
If students/parents have any questions they should refer to the Student Activitiy Handbook, Student Activities Website or contact their building Activity Coordinator.
Fee Waivers
If a student is financially unable to participate in an activity requiring a fee, waivers or other resources are often available to assist. The typical guideline used for eligibility is qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Students are encouraged to visit with their counselor if they may qualify or need any assistance.
Attendance at Athletic Events
Fargo Public Schools will operate at approximately 75% capacity for competitions and performances at a majority of District facilities. Some event venues will have reduced capacity.
Fargo Public Schools (FPS) will return to a more traditional manner of spectator attendance at student activities as the state moves to a lower risk level. The change will be effective February 1. This follows the January 27 announcement from North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum that lowers the state risk level from moderate to low.
Fargo Public Schools will begin traditional ticket sales at the door for a majority of events. Vouchers will only be issued for events at facilities where capacity concerns may arise. For those events, FPS will communicate information with both schools so that students, families, and fans may be notified. FPS has established and will strictly follow capacity limits for each event venue. Capacity limits are as follows:
North High School
Main Gym 1050
2nd Gym 90
Coliseum 375
Theater 500
Pool No Spectators
***New this year when attending athletic events you are able to pay with credit card and mobile pay.
Spartan Student Activities
Trollwood Performing Arts School 2021 Summer Registration Open
Get ready to Color Your Summer! Trollwood Performing Arts School is excited to welcome students back to the stage with a full array of 2021 summer performing arts educational opportunities. 2020 was a difficult year for those who are passionate about performing arts. Many classes and performances were canceled due to COVID-19. Upcoming summer arts programming will help students rekindle their affection for the arts, boost their creativity, and pave the way for their future, whether they aspire to pursue a career in the arts or any other professional opportunities. Click this link to register. Click this link to view the full programming brochure.
Summer School
Summer School registration for high school classes and all sports camps will open Tuesday, March 2nd. The Summer School Booklet is available on the summer school website. Families are able to pay fees for Middle School Music Camps, Highway Safety, Summer Leadership School, and some sports camps as part of the on-line registration:
- www.fargosummerschool.com (Opens March 2nd)
- Semester 1: June 8 – 30
- Semester 2: July 6 – 28
- Face to Face Hybrid on-campus M-Th or 100% Virtual M-F with a required daily Zoom class meeting
Information from the Counseling Center
E- Transcripts
All high school students can now process (official), print (unofficial) and view transcripts electronically through eTranscripts. Students request their transcript securely and at their convenience through their PowerSchool account. Please see the instructions on the North High Counseling website.
Please allow 2 days for approval for official transcripts.
If you have any questions, please stop by the Counseling Office or call Nikki at 446-2412.
Free ACT Test Prep for Juniors
The ACT will be electronic this year—using the platform TestNav. TestNav has free practice tests available and is accessible on the student’s PLD desktop or home.testnav.com.
The practice tests include tutorials to become familiar with the platform.
To access the practice test, go to: TestNav (icon on students desktop) OR, home.testnav.com. Click on “The ACT” and then click “Practice Tests.” Students do not need to log in to take the practice tests.
If you have any questions about ACT practice tests, please reach out to Lisa Metzger at metzgel@fargo.k12.nd.us or 701.446.2413.
Juniors & Sophomores
All Sophomores will be taking the PreACT on March 2, 2021 at 8:30 am. Student room assignments are posted outside of the counseling office. Students need to arrive to their assigned room at 8:15 am on Tuesday morning. The Pre-ACT will begin promptly at 8:30. Students will need to bring a photo ID, a number 2 pencil (no mechanical pencils!) and a calculator. All other items to include phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices should be placed in the student's locker. Students are not allowed to have water bottles, books, or other items.
AP Testing
ACT/SAT EXAM SCHEDULE
ACT Exam Schedule
North High School Code: 350-568
ACT Basic Fee: $55.00
ACT Plus Writing Fee: $70.00
Test Option Change Fee: $15.00
Late Registration Additional Fee: $35.00
SAT EXAM SCHEDULE
North High School Code: 350-568
SAT Fee $52.00 SAT with Essay $68.00
Change Fee: $30.00
Late Registration Fee: $30.00
ND Academic & CTE Scholarships
North Dakota high school seniors who meet all requirements for either the ND Academic or ND Career & Technical Education Scholarships must submit an online application between January 4 and June 4, 2021 to https://www.nd.gov/dpi/parentscommunity/academic-and-cte-scholarship
Students and parents/guardians who would like more information should contact your student’s counselor or Career Advisor, Lisa Metzger, 701-446-2413.
Scholarships
Check out this link for scholarships including eligibility/criteria, potential award, the application procedure and where to get an application. If you have any questions please call Lisa Metzger in the Counseling Office at 701-446-2413.
ND Scholars Program
The North Dakota Scholars Program is a merit-based scholarship that provides scholarships to North Dakota’s best and brightest high school graduates. The scholarship is a full tuition scholarship for students attending North Dakota’s public and tribal colleges, and a tuition scholarship equal to public tuition for students attending North Dakota’s private institutions. For more information on the scholarship programs go to:
Rape & Abuse Crisis Center
In partnership with Fargo Public Schools, the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center (RACC) is offering counseling services to North High students. Jana Battagler, a counselor from RACC, will be available to meet virtually with students to discuss a variety of topics including, but not limited to healthy relationships, friendships, bullying, coping skills, technology safety, healthy sexuality, and trauma. Students that are interested in participating in this support should contact their school counselor or the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center at 701-293-7273.
Open Door
Just a reminder, if you or your family are in need of personal hygiene supplies, household products, food or clothing, the North High School Open Door has a small variety of items. Students and families can access these items by contacting their school counselor. FNH encourages families to consider any needs they might have over school breaks and long weekends and contact the counseling office at 701-446-2412 prior to the break. If you need additional community supports, the counselors are available to help connect you with additional supports to meet your needs.
School Avoidance vs. Illness
With school, brings new experiences and challenges for teenage children. It’s a time where pressures in the classroom and relationships with other students/teachers can be quite stressful. When faced with situations they fear or which they cannot cope, a student may try to keep from returning to school = School Avoidance. School avoidance occurs in 5% of the school population. A lot of times, these students will outright refuse to attend school or create reasons why they should not go. These students miss a lot of school, complain of not feeling well, with unexplained symptoms. Frequent complaints of headache, stomach ache, hyperventilation, nausea or dizziness are common where more clear cut symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, temp. greater than 101, bad cough or congestion, which are likely to have a physical basis are uncommon. Symptoms occur often on school days and are usually absent on weekends.
A parent needs to be sympathetic, supportive and understanding of your child’s anxiety. You need to acknowledge your child’s concerns but insist on his/her immediate return to school. It has been found the longer a child stays home, the more difficult it is for them to return.
If these signs are being noted in a son/daughter or student, the first step is having the child examined by a physician to rule out any physical conditions. While a parent may try to manage school refusal on their own, if the student is missing school 1x/week or more, further professional assistance may be needed.
If this is a concern in your home and you have further questions of School Avoidance, contact your physician or feel free to contact your school nurse or counselor.
Immunization Update: Grades 11 and 12
For the school year 2021-2022, a second dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is required for students entering eleventh or twelfth grade. This means your student will need proof of two doses of MCV4 before returning to school in the fall. This rule went into effect for the school year 2018-2019.
Ideally, children should receive one dose of MCV4 when they are eleven to twelve years old and a booster dose on or after their sixteenth birthday. Please schedule with your child’s health care provider or your local public health. Please have your child receive this booster prior to the start of the school year. Also, remember to bring in proof of the immunization documentation to the school.
Information
PTSA Monthly Meeting
Senior Pictures
Senior pictures should be emailed to our yearbook adviser at fnhyearbook@fargoschools.org. The deadline to submit a picture is April 1st. If a senior picture is not submitted, the student’s ID picture will be used. The picture submitted must meet the following criteria:
Senior Picture Policy
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 (April 1st)
- Must be taken in the past year
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 the picture is inappropriate.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sitzler Erickson @ sitzlek@fargoschools.org.
Seniors - Cap & Gown Orders
Please check with your senior to make sure they turned in their cap and gown order. If not, the order must be submitted directly to Jostens at the address on the packet. If you need to contact them directly, a message can be left at 701-235-1828.
Yearbooks
Students can purchase a copy of the 2020-2021 yearbook for $60. The “Laconian” is a full-color book with memorable stories, eye-catching photos, and cutting-edge graphics and layouts. You can pay through School Pay.
Masks
The Fargo Public Schools will require all students and all staff to wear masks that adequately cover both their nose and mouth. Exceptions will be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings.
Visitors to North High
Bus Route Schedules
Fargo Public Schools 2020-2021 “Energy Saver” bus route schedules are available on the Fargo Publics schools website www.fargo.k12.nd.us/transportation. Schedules can also be picked up in the school office.
Attendance
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.
Detention
Does your student have detention? We have several opportunities for student’s to make up their detention.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
3:00 - 3:45 p.m.
3:50 - 4:35 p.m.
Room 311
All detention needs to be served during times described above.
Students with outstanding detentions may not be able to participate in extra curricular activities until all detention has been completed. These activities include, but are not limited to: athletics, prom, plays, and school sponsored trips.
Stay Connected!
Fargo North has several helpful links that can be found on our webpage at www.fargo.k12.nd.us/north.
You will find links for:
· Newsletters
· School Calendars
· Daily Announcements
· PowerSchool & SchoolPay Logins
· Student Handbook
· School Menus
· Daily Planner
· District Forms
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact our school office at 701-446-2400.
E-Alerts
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 and CAREER CENTER OFFICE
Nikki Brandenburger, Registrar/Secretary - 446-2412
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
Lisa Metzger - Career Advisor - 446-2413
Mary Krueger, Student Wellness & Family Facilitator - 446-2456
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
Officer Samantha LaShomb, SRO - 446-2631/212-5650
SCHOOL NURSE
Katelyn Novacek, 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
- March 1- Parent Teacher Conferences
- March 2 - ACT testing Juniors
- March 2 - PreACT testing Sophomores
- March 10 - ASVAB Career Exploration Program
- March 15 - 19 - No School - Spring Break
- April 2 - No School - Good Friday Holiday
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