Packer Nation News
January 2023 Update
A Note from the Principal:
We've made it to the last week of Semester 1! Congratulations to you and your learner! It's been a team effort.
The final day for Semester 1 is this Friday, January 13 and grades will be finalized. We will be following an adjusted schedule the final two days of the semester (see it here) on Thursday, January 12 and Friday, January 13. This will allow classes extended time for assessments and feedback over two days, a lengthened WIN time for study sessions, and the beloved WFHS tradition of Packer Pancakes!
A few important notes during this transition:
- Schedule corrections for Semester 2 are happening now! Requests are ONLY being received and processed in person. Counselors are available in the hallways outside of the Counseling Office tomorrow and Wednesday to meet with students. All a student needs to do is stop by! All requests must meet the WFHS Schedule Change criteria available here.
- Attendance resets at the beginning of Semester 2 and students have a limit of 10 absences per course (excused and unexcused... the only absences that do not count are sanctioned school activities and those with a medical note) before they are at risk of losing credit. As much as possible, family travel and vacations should be limited to times during school breaks when students do not miss more than a few days. Please monitor your student's attendance and ensure they are in school! This is the number one key to student success.
- Registration for 2023-2024 classes will take place February 6-10. More information will be given to students on February 2 in class meetings. We will also send a Blackboard message to families closer to the registration dates with additional details.
- Learners receive a grade for Packer Time at the end of the school year. The grade is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory and is recorded on student transcripts. To earn a Satisfactory, students must upload 6 artifacts representing 6 different Profile of a Graduate dispositions by the last day of school to their Profile of a Graduate OneDrive. Artifacts can be school assignments, photos, or any other evidence of the disposition being enacted in the student's life. At this point in the year, students should have three of the artifacts uploaded (dispositions covered include responsibility, communication, and collaboration). Now is a perfect opportunity to check in with your learner about this progress and discuss their artifacts!
- On Thursday, February 2, no regular classes will be held. All students will report to school by 8:37a (no Period 1) and follow an alternative schedule including: volunteering at Feed My Starving Children at the Scheel's Arena (WFHS has participated in this community event for many years!), completing a mandatory password reset on the iPad, and receiving information about upcoming registration for the 2023-2024 school year.
This newsletter contains important information regarding:
- Changes in administration in the Main Office
- New information from WFHS Counseling
- Profile of a Graduate in January (focus: resilience)
- Students of the Month for November/December and January
- Post Prom/Post Grad information
- Academic integrity policy (from student handbook)
Please review the information and contact us as questions and concerns arise. We look forward to another wonderful semester with your learner! Go Packers.
All my best,
Rachel Bachmeier
Just In Case: Inclement Weather Schedule
There is no Packer Time or WIN on inclement weather days. The first half of the class is synchronous learning via Microsoft Teams (students should log into Teams at the start of the class time) and the second half of the class is time to work on assignments and activities. Learners are able to reach out to their teachers with any questions or concerns!
Who's Who in the Main Office at West Fargo High School
Rachel Bachmeier
- Principal
- 701-499-1801
- rbachmeier@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Jon Asprey
- Assistant Principal
- 701-499-9300
- Student Names: A-E
- jasprey@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Dr. Wayne Samson
- Assistant Principal
- 701-499-1802
- Student Names: L-Q
- wsamson@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Rick Wilson
- Assistant Principal
- 701-499-1803
- Student Names: R-Z
- rwilson@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Lindsey Metz
- Dean of Students
- 701-499-1809
- Student Names: F-K
- lmetz@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Officer Jason Balvik
- School Resource Officer (WFPD)
- 701-499-1988
- jbalvik@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Cindy Martin
- Administrative Assistant for Attendance
- Student Names: A-K
- 701-499-9391
Teresa Renwick
- Administrative Assistant for Attendance
- Student Names: L-Z
- 701-499-1808
Kelsey Gumke
- School Nurse
- 701-499-1811
- kgumke@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Justin Behm
- Activities Coordinator
- 701-499-1804
- jbehm@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Dawn Petersen
- Administrative Assistant for Activities
- 701-499-1806
- dlpetersen@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Stacey King
- Social Worker
- sking@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Updates from WFHS Counseling
Important Updates:
We would like to introduce you to our intern, Itu Genene! Itu is currently at WFHS on Mondays and Tuesdays. Beginning February 21st, Itu will be at WFHS Monday-Thursday as Ms. Rosendahl’s long-term substitute while she is on maternity leave. At this time, learners and families with the last names J-Mo will work with Ms. Itu.
Itu is in her last semester of graduate school at North Dakota State University and has completed over 450 hours in her school counseling internship. Itu has earned two bachelor’s degrees from NDSU; human development & family science and social work. She has three years of experience with working with youth in the FM area. In Itu’s spare time, she loves to spend quality time with her friends and family and partake in the diverse shows and events in the community.
NCAA Eligibility:
Does your learner have potential plans to play a sport at the collegiate level? If so, please encourage your learner to communicate with their school counselor, administrator, and the activities department to make sure they are academically eligible. More information can be found here: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
Family Resources:
Bank of North Dakota Dual Credit Assistance Program
Bank of North Dakota covers the cost of up to two college courses per school year for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who participate in Free or Reduced Price Lunch. If students have questions about this support or their eligibility, they can meet with their school counselor. The deadline to submit applications is January 31, 2023.
Please encourage your learner to ask for what they need. Students commonly struggle in class, but do not talk with their teachers about those struggles. We know asking for help, especially the first time, can be hard. Practicing how to have those conversations with your learner can be helpful. While it may feel uncomfortable, hearing yourself say out loud how you would ask for help is a great way to feel more confident in those conversations. Encourage your learner to reach out to their teachers in ways that work for them, such as talking before or after class, sending them a message on Schoology, or attending WIN (What I Need) sessions. The Homework Room is also available to ALL students Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:35-4:35p in room 108E, if students want general support in their classes.
Counseling Appointments:
Learners may make their own appointments to meet with their school counselor by going to the Counseling Office to identify a time that works with their schedule. This is the most efficient way to get learners on our calendars versus emailing. Your learner can request to see their school counselor for social/emotional support, academic, or career needs. So, please encourage your learner to stop in and make an appointment!
If parents/guardians are concerned about their learner, they may reach out directly to their learner’s school counselor using the contact information below.
Counseling Office
F: 701-356-2059
Jamie Zuel
- Student Names: A-Dn
- 701-499-1813
- jzuel@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Courtney Quist
- Student Names: Do-I
- 701-499-1817
- caquist@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Dana Rosendahl
- Student Names: J-Mt
- 701-499-1814
- drosendahl@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Dr. Chasity Odden Heide
- Student Names: Mu-Sc
- 701-499-1816
- codden-heide@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Tessa Roberts
- Student Names: Sd-Z
- 701-499-1815
- troberts@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
January's Profile of a Graduate Focus Disposition: Resilience
The district's Profile of a Graduate represents the core values of West Fargo Public Schools. The Profile of a Graduate outlines eight dispositions for our learners and educators to nurture as members of our Packer community and citizens of our world.
The Profile of a Graduate culminates in a senior year capstone project, in which students highlight artifacts and experiences demonstrating the eight dispositions in their real life.
The focus Profile of a Graduate disposition for the month of January is resilience.
During the month of January students will participate in Packer Time lessons aligned to resilience including goal-setting and learning from failure. We encourage you to continue these conversations at home and discuss the importance of resilience with your learner!
More information about the Profile of a Graduate can be found on this district webpage.
Congratulations to Our Students of the Month for November/December and January!
November/December Student of the Month: Grade 12
Bailey Irish
November/December Student of the Month: Grade 11
Safa Ibrahim
November/December Student of the Month: Grade 10
Carter Rahn
November/December Student of the Month: Grade 9
Miley Shell
January Student of the Month: Grade 12
Ezzy Simonson
January Student of the Month: Grade 11
Salima Ibrahim
January Student of the Month: Grade 10
Olivia Klaman
January Student of the Month: Grade 9
Ira Skari
Block Schedule Starting Fall 2023
We wanted to reach out to you regarding an upcoming scheduling change, taking effect the 2023-2024 school year. All West Fargo Public Schools high schools will be transitioning to a block schedule. Horace High School is already on a block schedule and WFHS and SHS will be aligning with them beginning fall 2023.
To ease in this transition, we’ve attached and linked a variety of resources:
- The attached overview letter contains basic information about block scheduling and sample schedules. Start here!
- This video was shared with learners grades 9-11 in Packer Time today to introduce block scheduling.
- The document contains highlights from research regarding block scheduling
- This form is available to submit questions from families about the block schedule. WFHS and SHS administration will review questions and create a public Q&A document with answers.
- This Q&A document was made in response to questions submitted by students! All students who submitted a question have received an email with an answer and additional information from Rachel Bachmeier.
- The presentation from the family meetings during Quarter 2 conferences and on January 9.
1/3 of high schools in the United States utilize block scheduling and we’re excited about the potential of the block schedule to positively impact learners and widen and deepen the experiences they can have through our programming.
With our informational meetings behind us, please review the materials and reach out to administration as you have questions and concerns. This is a big change, and we want to support our community through the process.
Post Prom/Post Grad Needs Your Help!
The Post Prom/Post Grad committee is a group of Packer families whose goal is to provide safe events for our Packers on both prom and graduation nights. For over 35 years, WFHS Post Prom and Post Graduation parties have provided thousands of students in our community with a drug and alcohol free alternative for celebrations (see photos below of past events!). Post Prom will occur at Cheney Middle School on May 6, 2023, and Post Grad will be held at NDSU Memorial Union on May 28, 2023.
Please follow WFHS Packers Post Prom/Post Grad on Facebook for updates and activities to assist in continuing this tradition. If you are willing to help join us in planning the events, email Melissa Halvorson at halvorson@west-fargo.k12.nd.us to be included in the group email for future information
SUPPORT WFHS AND JOIN PACKER BACKERS!
Packer Backers is West Fargo High School's booster program. All money raised is used to support our students, athletes, staff, and community. For example, Packer Backer donations have made senior class breakfasts, new scoreboards, and new scoring tables possible! They do not only support athletics; they have provided financial support for a variety of school programs including DECA, FCCLA, Post Prom/Post Grad, and Spanish Club to name a few!
For more information, reach out to wfpackerbackers@gmail.com!
Student Handbook Highlight: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is essential to promote student independence and for teachers to accurately assess student mastery of skills. This becomes harder and harder with various forms of technology. For example, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for writing assignments is popping up more and more in schools and we've already managed a few situations in the Main Office. Unless otherwise specifically noted by the teacher, the use of AI to complete assignments, including writing assignments, qualifies as academic dishonesty at West Fargo High School.
The learners and staff at West Fargo Public Schools value academic honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty (cheating) is unacceptable because it threatens the ability of a learner to learn the material, violates our core behavior expectations in a variety of ways, including disrespecting other learners and the educator, as well as violating the expectation of conducting oneself with honesty and integrity.
Furthermore, a key part of an educator’s job is to assess what a learner knows, understands and is able to do. Cheating produces results on assessments that do not allow an educator to accurately assess a learner’s knowledge and skill, and thus makes it even harder for educators to help their learners succeed.
Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
- Copying another learner’s work
- Submitting work that was completed by someone else as if it were your own
- Plagiarism (presenting another individual’s ideas as your own, failing to cite others in writing)
- Using unauthorized materials to complete any assessment
- Completing work in a group when not authorized to do so by the educator
- Looking at another learner’s materials during any assessment when not authorized to do so
- Providing answers to another learner before or after a test and/or quiz
- Taking educator materials (tests, keys, example questions, etc.) without receiving approval from the educator
- Leaving classroom materials out and visible during an assessment
- Using any form of technology (e.g. computers, calculators, cell phones) to provide or receive unauthorized content
- Any other behavior in submitting work which is performed with the intent of misrepresenting one’s performance
College and Career Readiness
North Dakota Scholarship:
Senior students graduating from a North Dakota high school may be eligible for one of three scholarships that can be used at a North Dakota college, university, or eligible training program. There are several requirements that must be met to be eligible for a scholarship worth up to $6,000. Information on ND scholarships can be found online.
Visit the WFHS Financial Aid & Scholarships webpage for additional information.
Scholarship Support
Senior students can look for upcoming WIN sessions for scholarship support, including the North Dakota Scholarship. We also recommend referencing our website for scholarship information. Area scholarship opportunities are posted in our scholarship newsletter, which is frequently updated and found HERE.
ACT:
Some institutions and scholarship applications require an entrance exam for admission or consideration. There are two tests that will usually satisfy this requirement. Most four-year colleges in our area use the ACT, but will accept the SAT as well. The ACT exam measures skills in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Scientific Reasoning. Please review the guidelines with specific colleges to see whether they ACT is required.
To receive the results in time to meet application deadlines, we encourage seniors to retake the test early in the school year. Seniors should test no later than February to have test scores available for consideration for most scholarships and some applications. The registration fee is $63 or $88 with the Writing Test. Students with documented economic needs may be eligible for a fee waiver. Students can visit with their school counselor for more information. CLICK HERE to register for the ACT and see upcoming test dates.
Transcript Requests:
Current students can request their official transcript through their e-Transcript account. Instructions can be found here. Current students can also access and download an unofficial transcript using the above instructions. If a college/university is NOT listed in e-Transcript, please complete the form on our website.
Past graduates/students are able to request their transcript by following the directions For WFHS Alumni/Former Students on the WFHS website.
*If you took a dual-credit course, you are required to send an official transcript directly from NDSCS to the college(s) to which you apply. To request transcripts from NDSCS go to: http://www.ndscs.edu/current-students/request-transcripts/
Important Links
- WFHS Bell Schedules
- 2022-2023 Secondary School Calendar
- Meet WFHS Staff (syllabi available here as well!)
- Information about Student Activities
- Application for Free Reduced Meals
- Parent Portal of PowerSchool for Parents/Guardians
- FAQ for Parent Portal
- Schoology for Parents/Guardians
- MySchoolBucks
- Graduation Requirements
- College Planning Checklists
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
WFHS Important Dates
- Thursday, January 12 and Friday, January 13: Last Days of Quarter 2 and Semester 1 (adjusted schedule here)
- Thursday, February 2: Feed My Starving Children community service activity for all students (alternative schedule beginning at 8:37a, no Period 1)
- February 6-10: Registration for 2023-2024 classes
- Quarter 3 Conferences: February TBD
- Tuesday, March 7: ACT testing (for Grade 11), ASVAB testing (for Grade 10), virtual learning (for grades 9 and 12).
- Quarter 4 Conferences: April TBD
- Saturday, May 6: Prom (doors close at 7p for student entry and audience entry for Grand March)
- Sunday, May 28: Graduation @ 4p (Scheels Arena)
Stay Informed!
Email: wfhs@west-fargo.k12.nd.us
Website: https://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/41
Location: 801 9th Street East, West Fargo, ND, USA
Phone: 701-356-2050