SchoolTalk
FPS e-Newsletter for March 21, 2024
- SPOTLIGHT -
Feature Column - Arts CAN Do
Read more about the Arts CAN Do program and where to find a receptacle in this Feature Column by FPS Performing Arts Facilitator Patrick Thiel.
- NEWSMAKERS -
National Social Worker Month
March is National Social Workers Month! This March, we would like to recognize the social workers in Fargo Public Schools and the hard work they do to support our students. Thank you, social workers for all you do!
Gasevic Wins ND State Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Ben Franklin Middle School eighth grader Luna Gasevic on winning the North Dakota State Spelling Bee on Monday in Bismarck! This is the third-consecutive year Gasevic has won the state bee. She won the competition after correctly spelling the word "ethical." Discovery Middle School eighth grader Merryn Johnson finished second.
Gasevic will advance to the Scripps National Spelling Bee from May 28-30 in National Harbor, Md. near Washington D.C. Gasevic finished 12th at the national bee last year.
Life Changer of the Year Nominee
Congratulations to Horace Mann-Roosevelt Elementary School Custodian Jessica Zurek on being nominated for the National Life Group's 2023-24 Life Changer of the Year Award. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership.
Girls Basketball State Champions
Congratulations to the Davies High School girls basketball team on winning the NDHSAA Division AA Girls Basketball State Championship! The Eagles, coached by Tonah Safranski, defeated Bismarck 64-55 in the championship game on March 9 at the Bismarck Event Center. This is the first state title for the Davies girls, who finished the campaign with a 23-4 record.
Boys Basketball Athlete of the Year
Congratulations to North High School senior Carter Zeller on being named the North Dakota High School Coaches Association Powerade Senior Athlete of the Year for Division AA Boys Basketball! Zeller led the Spartans to an 18-9 record and a berth in the state championship game. Zeller received the award on March 9, following the state final.
AMVETS Americanism Essay Contest
Congratulations to Ben Franklin Middle School eighth graders Isla Melby, Nessa Birkeland, and Juliana DiMaggio on placing first, second, and third in the AMVETS Americanism Essay Contest! The contest prompt was, "Why is it important to vote?" AMVETS representative Rick Olek visited Ben Franklin to congratulate the winners.
The contest received more than 80 entries from area eighth graders. The three winning essays will advance to the state level competition.
Youngquist NLI Signing
Congratulations to South High School's Cassie Youngquist on signing her National Letter of Intent to continue her academic and athletic career at the next level! Youngquist will compete on the tennis team at Concordia College.
ND State DECA
Congratulations to all Fargo Public Schools students who placed in their events at the North Dakota State DECA Conference! The conference was held at the Bismarck Radisson Hotel from March 3-5. More than 500 students competed in more than 50 events. View a list of all place winners from FPS.
AFJROTC Juggernaut Competition
The Fargo Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps unit hosted the 11th Annual Juggernaut Sports Competition on March 2 at South High School. Seven teams from schools in Minot, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, Sioux Falls, and St. Paul competed in sports contests. The events included basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, flickerball, ultimate frisbee, boccer, and ended with a relay race. Grand Forks won its third consecutive overall championship.
Fargo placed third overall with a first place finish in dodgeball, a second place finish in boccer, a third place finish in ultimate frisbee, and fourth place finishes in volleyball, flickerball and relay.
- YOUR FPS -
School Out Day - Next Friday
There will be NO SCHOOL next Friday, March 29. Classes will resume as scheduled on Monday, April 1.
Storm Makeup Day - April 1
Due to the storm day on February 27, school will be in session on Monday, April 1. Fargo Public Schools is utilizing the makeup day built into the District calendar for this day.
Parent Guidance Mental Health Series
In an effort to proactively support students' overall well-bein, Fargo Public Schools is partnering with ParentGuidance.org to deliver monthly webinars developed by licensed therapists. This series will be virtual, interactive, and is designed to help parents and caregivers support students. Registration, attendance, and interactions are kept completely anonymous from other viewers. Click here or on the image to view the poster in a larger format.
The series will feature four sessions on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. between April 2 and May 21:
- April 2 - Your Child's Anxiety
- April 16 - Social Media: Protecting Your Child
- May 7 - Effects of Screen Time
- May 21 - Understanding Video Game Addiction
Kindergarten Registration
Going to kindergarten is important for children. It helps them build upon all the learning that they have done so far. In kindergarten, children will learn skills they will build on throughout their formal education and throughout life. It is important to register early to allow FPS enough time to plan ahead for the school year to give students the best experience possible.
Kindergarten Registration for Fargo Public Schools is now open online. If your child turns 5 by July 31, 2024, they are eligible to attend school in the fall. Visit fargo.k12.nd.us/registration to learn more about the registration process.
Summer School
Registration for Fargo Public Schools' Summer School 2024 is open. FPS Summer School offers opportunities for students from elementary through high school to participate in programs focused on academics, athletics, arts, and more. View Fargo Public Schools' Summer School 2024 offerings.
Trollwood Summer Registration
Expect the Unexpected! Experience magic, explore passion, and expand potential at Trollwood Performing Arts School with summer performing arts classes and performance opportunities for students currently in Grades K-12. Trollwood summer registration is now open.
Trollwood offers a full array of classes, performing opportunities, and technical theater experiences for every skill level, from elementary to middle school to high school. See the full list of Trollwood summer programming in this newsletter special edition.
FPS is Hiring
- FEATURE -
2024 FPS Support Staff of the Year
On March 5, Fargo Public Schools celebrated Jefferson Elementary School Administrative Assistant Sarrah Gustafson as the 2024 FPS Support Staff of the Year. The award was announced as a surprise during an all-school assembly at Jefferson. Check out the video below to see the announcement and celebration!
2024 FPS Administrator of the Year
On March 5, Fargo Public Schools celebrated Davies High School Principal Troy Cody as the 2024 FPS Administrator of the Year. The award was announced as a surprise following a hazmat drill at Davies. Check out the video below to see the announcement and celebration!
- COMMUNITY -
Bell Bank Donation
Thank you to the Bell Bank staff for their generous donation of $8,862 towards the Critical Needs Program! A group of employees pooled their resources through the Pay it Forward program to assist students at Fargo Public Schools. The Critical Needs program allows school staff to promptly and discreetly aid students in need, whether identified by staff or reaching out for help.
Pictured left to right: Presley Gonnerman, Bell Bank; Kendra Lange, Bell Bank; Corey Ernst, FPS Development Foundation; Kristi Schelinder, Bell Bank
Golden Drive Homeless Kids Donation
Thank you to Golden Drive Homeless Kids for the generous food donation to The Source, Dakota High School's clothing and food pantry. The Source provides anonymous and confidential food, clothing, and basic needs to students and their families at no cost to them.
- IN FOCUS -
Author Visit
Author Elizabeth Raum visited Washington Elementary School to share her love for history and how she incorporated that passion into a career in writing. Raum has written more than 163 books, including "Storm Warning," a historical fiction account of the 1997 flood, set in Fargo and Ada, Minn. (Photo courtesy Brenda Cain)
Shamrock Paper Scissors
Staff at Bennett Elementary School celebrated St. Patrick's Day before Spring Break with a Shamrock Paper Scissors competition. Each staff member started the day with a strand of green or gold beads and throughout the day they could challenge other staff to a game of Rock Paper Scissors to win their opponent's beads. The staff member with the most beads at the end of the day won a pot of gold. (Photo courtesy Julie Frank)
Latin Day
Latin students from Fargo Public Schools attended Latin Day at the University of Mary in Bismarck, hosted by the school's Classics Department. The students participated in written tests, a Knowledge Bowl-style team certamen contest, a scavenger hunt with classical themes, and a toga banquet. (Photo courtesy Crystal Dahl)
Adaptive PE
Carl Ben Eielson Middle School's Parent Teacher Association partnered with Hope Inc. to bring adaptive sports to the school's physical education classes. Bill Grommesh of Hope Inc. visited PE classes to show students the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Students built empathy and understanding while getting a first-hand experience of the challenges these individuals face. (Photo courtesy Mariah McKenny)
Financial Aid Night
South High School hosted an event to help students and families understand options for receiving financial help for postsecondary options. Representatives from four colleges helped families with FAFSA, Jim Upgren from NDDPI presented on how to earn the ND Scholarship, and Rachel LaForce from Bell Bank presented tips to earn scholarships. (Photo courtesy Brenda Koppy)
Pi Day
Bennett Elementary School celebrated Pi Day before spring break by acknowledging third grader Ireland Ferris, who set a school record by memorizing and reciting the first 354 digits of Pi. She studied for two months to accomplish the feat. Pi Day is celebrated on March 14, due to the date corresponding with the first three digits of Pi, which are 3.14. (Photo courtesy Julia Warner)
- IN THE NEWS -
Fargo Public Schools - SchoolTalk
Email: comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: www.fargo.k12.nd.us
Location: 700 7th Street South, Fargo, ND
Phone: 701.446.1000