Cabinet Column - Coronavirus Aid
North Dakota schools received additional funding in 2020 to help navigate the ever-changing terrain of COVID-19. These funds must be used toward technology, mental health support, professional development, additional personnel, environment improvements, and employee recruitment. In this Cabinet Column, Business Manager Jackie Gapp explains how Fargo Public Schools has allocated the additional funds so far.
Feature Column - Procedures for Positive Tests and Close Contacts
Fargo Public Schools is grateful for the community effort to keep our students and staff safe. As we get further into the school year, there are important COVID-19 test and quarantine reminders. In this feature column, Coordinator of Safety & Emergency Management Mackenzie McCormick tells us what to do if a student tests positive and what to do if a student is a close contact.
Feature Column - Trollwood Performing Arts School
Trollwood Performing Arts Schools has faced significant challenges throughout 2020 due to COVID-19. In this feature column, Trollwood Executive Director Kathy Anderson shares details on how the school is reimagining programs to keep students safe while learning. She also details how you can help Trollwood overcome the impacts from the previous year.
Fargo Public Schools 2019-20 Annual Report
As evidence of Fargo Public Schools’ commitment to our patrons, the FPS 2019-20 Annual Report is now available. It showcases the qualities and services of our school district and provides a wide array of information to familiarize families and the community with Fargo Public Schools. Report details include enrollment, staffing, and budget numbers. It also gives overviews of student services and student assessment data. Thank you for your continued support as we serve the citizens of Fargo by providing students an excellent educational experience. You can access the full document at this link.
Instructional Level Update
On December 7, the Fargo Public Schools (FPS) COVID-19 Instructional Plan Committee decided to keep the current timeline for elementary and secondary students to return to in-person learning. The plan is as follows:
Elementary Schools:
Level 4 – In-Person Instruction (4 days per week) until January 19, 2021
Middle Schools:
Level 3 – Hybrid Learning until January 19, 2021
High Schools:
Level 3 – Hybrid Learning until January 19, 2021
It is important to know that the FPS COVID-19 Instructional Plan Committee will adapt and make changes based on new information or guidance, if needed. For more details about this instructional plan decision, read this letter from Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi.
FPS COVID-19 Data
Fargo Public Schools (FPS) is providing a weekly report of COVID-19 data within the district. This data, in consideration with other factors, continues to be utilized by the FPS COVID-19 Instructional Plan Committee. Information is updated every Friday and can be found on the FPS COVID-19 page.
NDASSP Assistant Principal of the Year
Congratulations to Davies High School Assistant Principal Dr. Dale Miller for being selected as the North Dakota Assistant Principal of the Year by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (NDASSP). Dr. Miller is now in consideration to be the 2021 National Assistant Principal of the Year. To learn more about Dr. Miller and his accomplishments, read this media release from the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders.
Student Athlete Letters of Intent
So far this school year, eleven Fargo Public Schools (FPS) student athletes have signed letters of intent to play sports at a collegiate level. More FPS students are also expected to sign later in the 2020-21 school year. Click here to view a full list and pictures of students who will play collegiate sports.
Fall 2020 Activities Awards
Fargo Public Schools students, coaches, and teams received dozens of awards during the Fall 2020 season. Awards range from All-State Teams, championship placements, personal awards, and more! Congratulations on a successful season! Click here to see a list of all the awards.
Ben Franklin Students Receive Patriot's Pen Awards
Four eighth grade students at Ben Franklin Middle School placed in the annual Patriot's Pen essay contest, held by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). This year's theme is "What is Patriotism to Me?" A list of winners and their award winning essays are listed below. The students earned a combined $1,100 in prize money.
Local Winners:
1st place: Larissa Lahaise
2nd place: Grace Thiel
3rd place: Grayce Anderson
4th place: Wyatt Frieler
District Level Winners:
1st place: Larissa Lahaise
3rd place: Grayce Anderson
Larissa Lahaise's essay now moves on to the state VFW competition. Judging for that level will occur in the coming weeks.
Agassiz Excellence Apple Awards
Six staff members at the Agassiz building were recently honored with Agassiz Excellence Apple Awards. This award is given to employees at the Agassiz building who provide exceptional experiences for Fargo Public Schools students and staff. Read this article for a list of the recipients and to see award pictures.
School Out Days - Winter Break
There will be NO SCHOOL December 24, 2020 through January 3, 2021 for Fargo Public Schools Winter Break. Classes resume as scheduled on January 4, 2021. Fargo Public Schools wishes you a safe and happy Winter Break!
Hear for the Kids: Grief and Loss During the Holidays
Depression and anxiety often creep in during the holidays. In this edition of the Hear for the Kids podcast, school counselors Cassie Larson and Carly Gaddie are joined by Kriston Wenzel, a grief specialist at Hospice of the Red River Valley. Kriston discusses talking with kids about grief and loss, as well as some strategies for coping during the holidays.
Lewis & Clark Winter Gear Donation
Thank you to The Great North Pole for donating hundreds of winter jackets and snow pants to Carl Ben Eielson Middle School, Jefferson Elementary School, Lewis & Clark Elementary School, McKinley Elementary School, North High School, and South High School. This generous gift will help keep may Fargo Public Schools warm this winter.
Free Winter Break Take-Home Meals
Fargo Public Schools (FPS) is offering free breakfasts and lunches to students during winter break. Meals must be pre-ordered by 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17. Meals will be available for pickup on Wednesday, December 23 at a variety of locations and times. Your pickup time and location can be selected when filling out the meal order form. Meals will include both cold and frozen food items. Student names and ID numbers are required at pickup. To order meals, fill out this Winter Break Student Meal Order Form.
Winter Break Meal Bag Donation
Thank you to Bell Bank, First Western Bank & Trust, and Gate City Bank for the donation of reusable bags. These bags will be filled with breakfasts and lunches for students during winter break. See the above article for more details on how to order winter break take-home meals.
Trollwood Winter Academy Registration Now Open
The magic of Trollwood Performing Arts School is finally coming back! Several classes are available that fit a wide variety of performance interests. Winter Academy runs January 9 through February 14. Follow these links to view class details and to register:
Click here to register for Totally Trollwood Winter Academy (Grades 5-8)
Click here to register for Trollwood Winter Academy (Grades 9-12)
Parent Equity and Advisory Committee for Education Participant Application
Fargo Public School is seeking participants for the Parent Equity and Advisory Committee for Education (PEACE). This group will advise the District on employee training and leadership skill building related to equity and inclusion, advocacy programs to ensure diversity, and policy development.
Members will consist of:
- (4) parents of students currently attending Fargo Public Schools
- (1) High school student representative
- (1) Community member
- (1) Director of Equity and Inclusion
- (1) Non-teaching school staff, selected by non-teaching school staff
- (2) Teachers, selected by Fargo Public Schools teachers
- (2) School principals, one from each division (elementary and secondary)
Parents who wish to apply can fill out this Google form by Monday, January 4. Students who wish to apply can fill out this Google form by Monday, January 4. Please contact Director of Equity and Inclusion Tamara Uselman at uselmat@fargoschools.org with questions.
Meal Basket Distribution
The Fargo Public Schools family is supporting the community in a bigger way than ever before. This year's meal basket program brought in a record number of donations. To learn more about the event's success and how it was executed in a safe way, read this feature article.
Feature Column - Teacher Negotiations
In the coming months, the Fargo Public Schools Board of Education is set to start negotiations with teachers for 2021-23 contracts. Both entities come together with proposals and then work to find a fair solution. In this feature column, Board of Education Member David Paulson shares details why a negotiation period can be a long and difficult process. He also shares details on actions that can be taken to find a resolution.
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Recycling Ribbon Cutting Students and staff members at Hawthorne Elementary School held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new recycling dumpster. Second graders wanted to bring awareness to this cause after a research project about recycling. (Photo courtesy: Tricia Bry) | Virtual Grant Presentation Congratulations to Lewis & Clark Elementary Gifted and Talented Teacher Stacy Anderson for receiving a $500 Doosan Discovery Grant. Normally, there is a check presentation, but due to COVID-19, a virtual program was held to congratulate Mrs. Anderson. The funds will be used to help students learn how to code robots. Pictured L to R are: Indio K., Myles E., Leighton L. and Owen D. (Photo courtesy: Stacy Anderson) | Fill the Dome Kennedy Elementary School students are filling trophy cases with something much better than any award; they are stocking the cases with evidence of their hard work for Fill the Dome, a food program. Students are collecting non-perishable food items through December 17. (Photo courtesy: Karrie Rage) |
Recycling Ribbon Cutting
Students and staff members at Hawthorne Elementary School held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new recycling dumpster. Second graders wanted to bring awareness to this cause after a research project about recycling.
(Photo courtesy: Tricia Bry)
Virtual Grant Presentation
Congratulations to Lewis & Clark Elementary Gifted and Talented Teacher Stacy Anderson for receiving a $500 Doosan Discovery Grant. Normally, there is a check presentation, but due to COVID-19, a virtual program was held to congratulate Mrs. Anderson. The funds will be used to help students learn how to code robots. Pictured L to R are: Indio K., Myles E., Leighton L. and Owen D.
(Photo courtesy: Stacy Anderson)
Fill the Dome
Kennedy Elementary School students are filling trophy cases with something much better than any award; they are stocking the cases with evidence of their hard work for Fill the Dome, a food program. Students are collecting non-perishable food items through December 17.
(Photo courtesy: Karrie Rage)
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Longfellow Sock Drive First grade students at Longfellow Elementary School are helping keep feet warm this winter. They held a sock drive so they can donate them to people in need. Altogether, they collected 1,290 pairs of socks! (Photo courtesy: Regan Teslaw) | North Home Building Class Thank you to Thorsteinson and Son’s Construction for assisting the North High School Construction II class with trusses, roofing, and shingling projects. Once completed, this rambler style home will be moved to Pearl Lake, Minnesota. (Photo courtesy: Jessica Geir) | Share Your Pictures! Fargo Public Schools wants to highlight your classroom, building, and extra curricular events in our newsletter! Send your activity photos with a detailed caption to comments@fargo.k12.nd.us |
Longfellow Sock Drive
First grade students at Longfellow Elementary School are helping keep feet warm this winter. They held a sock drive so they can donate them to people in need. Altogether, they collected 1,290 pairs of socks!
(Photo courtesy: Regan Teslaw)
North Home Building Class
Thank you to Thorsteinson and Son’s Construction for assisting the North High School Construction II class with trusses, roofing, and shingling projects. Once completed, this rambler style home will be moved to Pearl Lake, Minnesota.
(Photo courtesy: Jessica Geir)
Share Your Pictures!
Fargo Public Schools wants to highlight your classroom, building, and extra curricular events in our newsletter! Send your activity photos with a detailed caption to comments@fargo.k12.nd.us
Fargo Public Schools - SchoolTalk
This newsletter is published weekly on Thursdays during the school year when classes are in session. Material for publication is due by Noon on Tuesday of the week of desired publication.