Spartan Spotlight
October 2021
Dear Spartans,
I sincerely hope that you and your child(ren) have had an enjoyable and successful start to the 2021-2022 school year. With over 1,040 students back in the hallways and so many of our Clubs, Sports, and Fine Art activities up and running, the start of the school year has been exciting. Of course, one of the highpoints of the year is always the annual Homecoming week. This year was no exception as King Kine Wild and Queen Lainy Latunski reigned over a week filled with Spartan Spirit.
Also this year we have begun to collect nominations from our Coaches/Directors in order to recognize a Spartan Athlete and Performer of the Month. The recipients will have their headshot and their nomination letter posted in our main hallway for all to see.
In addition, we are working on creating a display of our Head Coaches/Directors and student activity participants to hang in our gymnasium. The student participant display will highlight why they participate. The Head Coaches/Directors will highlight the purpose of each of their programs. We believe it is important for us to keep thinking about and talking about the true purposes for having the programs we do. While a goal of every program is to compete and to win the contests they are involved in, the purpose needs to be based in education and personal development that supersedes any result on a scoreboard. Here is an example from our Drama Program:
Through performing arts education, Fargo North Theatre fosters creativity, offers hands-on training in collaboration and communication, and inspires students to grow as people and as performers while working in a safe, family-style environment; producing a quality final project to share with the community that gives students pride in their accomplishments.
Finally, I would like to make special note of our Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences that are upcoming on the evenings of October 4th and 7th. The evening of October 4th we will be hosting parent teacher conferences via Zoom. Parents will be able to sign up for time slots using this link https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Fargo_North_High_School. I also want to make families aware of Spartan Period, which is a great opportunity for students to work directly with their teachers to get one on one instruction and support. We urge all students to take advantage of Spartan Period as it is a great tool for them to help improve their learning.
GO SPARTANS!!!
Dan Shultis
Assistant Principal/Activities Coordinator
Parent Teacher Conferences
Fargo North will be hosting virtual and in person Parent-Teacher Conferences next week. Please see below for more details on dates/times.
- Monday October 4th will be virtual (zoom) conferences from 4:30 - 7:50 pm. Parents/Guardians can select which Teachers and time they would like to meet by accessing this link: https://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Fargo_North_High_School
- Thursday October 7th will be in person conferences from 4:30 - 8:00 pm in the Spartandome gym. Teachers will all be in the gym and parents/guardians can visit with as many of their student's Teachers as they would like.
We look forward to being able to connect and to being able to continue working together for the success of our students!
A reminder Fargo Publics Schools requires the use of masks in its buildings.
Congratulations
Kirsten Lies-Warfield
Paul Meyers
David Midgarden
Beth Sanner
Congratulations to the FNH 2021 Homecoming Court!
Alex Flores, Natalie Syverson, Sanjay Rajamohan, Faith Schatzke, Kine Wild (King), Fatima Attia, Dallas Bachmeier, Emily Skalicky, Isaac Swaser, Hannah Houim, Erika Spanjer, Isaac Cody, Carlissa Swanson, Daniel Boutain, Mackenzie Anderson, Nathaniel Kallod, Lainy Latunski (Queen), John Martin, Evelyn Olson, Reece Dorsey, Anna Lien, Nathaniel Fritel, Nicolette Rogne, and Jack Thiel
National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalists
Congratulations
Immunization Update: 11th & 12th Graders
For the school year 2021-2022, a second dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is required for students entering eleventh or twelfth grade. Students will need proof of two doses of MCV4 before returning to school in the fall.
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 the documentation of the immunization date to the school.
Blood Drive
Donors must be 16 or older to donate. 16-year-olds need a minor donor permit form, which needs to be signed by a parent/guardian. 17-year-old and older do not need a to complete a form. Forms will be handed out during the lunch runs prior to the drive.
From the Counseling Office
ACT/SAT Exam Schedule
The ACT and SAT are college entrance tests recommended by most 4-year colleges. Students should check with the specific school they plan to apply to for test information. These tests are generally taken during the latter part of a student’s junior year and during their senior year.
Register on the websites for the tests at: www.actstudent.org & www.collegeboard.com.
Below are the following test dates and registration deadlines:
ACT Exam Schedule
North High School Code: 350-568
ACT Basic Fee: $60.00 ACT Plus Writing Fee: $85.00
Late Registration Additional Fee: $36.00
SAT Exam Schedule
North High School Code: 350-568
SAT Fee $55.00
Late Registration Additional Fee: $30.00
ACT PREP Seminar
ACT PREP Seminar to help students prepare for taking the ACT. Fargo North has partnered with the Doorway to College to offer an ACT Prep Seminar. The seminar will be held Saturday, October 9th in the North High School Library from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The cost of this seminar is usually $95, however, we have received grant funding to help reduce the cost down to $15 for our students.
See attached flyer for detailed information. Directions to enroll your student:
- Go to www.doorwaytocollege.org
- Click on Register Now button in upper right corner
- Enter your zip code
- Select seminar
- Click on Enroll now
- Enter coupon code: Fargo North ACT Discount
Contact Mrs. Court at 446- 2415 if you have any questions about the seminar or registration.
Juniors
ASVAB - ASVAB is an aptitude test that estimate’s a student’s capacity for academic and vocational endeavors. The ASVAB empowers students to align their strengths and interests with a post-secondary plan that works for them. All juniors and interested seniors will take the ASVAB on Wednesday, October 13th from 8:30-11 am. This test is free.
The PSAT - Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a great tool for students considering college. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills. North High School recommends that students take the PSAT/NMSQT in order to receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, enter the competition for National Merit Scholar scholarships (11th graders) and to help prepare for the SAT.
There are limited tests available, so if your student is interested in this optional assessment be sure to sign up as soon as possible when registration opens. For the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT, students at North High School will be registering online. This registration and payment process will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access.
Online Exam registration will begin on Fri, Sep 10, 2021, at 8:00 AM and end on Sun, Oct 10, 2021, at 10:00 PM. In order to register, students/families should click on the link provided on the school website or visit www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/350568 to register and pay with a credit card. To complete registration, students must answer all of the required questions. Registration is not complete until students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end.
Please contact Terri Court, courtt@fargo.k12.nd.us , if you have questions or require financial assistance.
Juniors learned more about the ASVAB test and the PSAT option in their English classes September 7th-9th.
Junior ACT Testing
ACT testing for all juniors will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Make-up testing will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. All students in the junior class will take the exam unless exempt per IEP.
The exam will be online and students will test using their school issued personal learning device. Prior to the exam, students will register for the ACT in school and work with the technology department to update their computers.
If you have questions about the exam, you can reach out to your student’s case manager, counselor or principal.
AP Testing Schedule
AP Students and Families: For the 2022 AP exams, students at North High School will be registering online. Online Exam registration ends with a priority deadline on Sun, Oct 3, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.. The AP exam registration process is two steps; both can be completed in one sitting with the student and parent/guardian doing this together. Even if you do not plan to take the AP exam, you need to complete both steps to access the College Board’s AP resources. Both steps must be completed to have AP exams ordered:
- Step 1: Begin the process by registering at www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/350568. Here you will indicate both the AP courses you are taking this year and the exams you wish to take. You will receive your join codes and directions to complete the second required step. Any exam fees will be paid online; be sure to have a debit card or credit card available before beginning registration.
- Step 2: Use the join codes provided at the completion of step one to enroll the student's AP courses and exams in the College Board's system.
This year each AP exam costs $100.00. North High School wants every interested student to be able to take their AP exams. Students requiring financial assistance should contact Kate Evenson, evensok@fargo.k12.nd.us, in the North High School Counseling Center to learn more.
Seniors! Plan Your Future
On Thursday, October 7, 2021 during periods 7 & 8, senior students will attend a school counselor presentation including ACT score review, post-secondary options and planning, and accessing pertinent information. Seniors are then given time to visit with college, military and employment representatives that will be present at North High School that afternoon.
Learn More About Financial Aid
Four Year Plan
Parents/Guardians and students can request to meet with a school counselor annually to review, discuss, and revise four year academic plans for graduation. Families can call the counseling office at 446-2412 for an appointment, or students can come to the counseling office to set up an appointment.
Senior Cap & Gown Meeting
Seniors: Jostens will be at North High on Wednesday, November 17 at 1:30 p.m. to provide cap and gown information. Packets will be returned on Tuesday, November 23. The cost for the cap, gown and tassel is $38.00.
College Application Day
College application day will be held at North High, room 102, on Tuesday, October 19. Students will be given a code for a free ND College application. More information will be in the announcements & newsletters for participating colleges and sign-up.
Career Day
Parents/Guardians: On Thursday, November 4th , all students will participate in CAREER DAY! If you would like to be a presenter to talk about your profession, please contact Lisa Metzger, Career Advisor, at 446-2413.
Information
PTSA
Parents are encouraged to get involved by joining PTSA. When parents get involved, the childthat benefits the most is yours. The next meeting is Monday, October 25 at 4:30 pm in room 102.
Letter Jackets
MECA Sales Representative, Tom Glynn,
For questions or to place an order call 651-341-2840 or email tglynn@mecasportswear.com.
Jackets will be delivered in 4-6 weeks. The jacket cost is $200 and includes your jacket, students name on the front, graduation year, your award letter sewn on the jacket (please bring with on day of order), return shipping to the high school and tax. A minimum deposit of $100 is required. The remaining balance will be due when the jacket is delivered. Make checks payable to: MECA Sportswear. Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards are also accepted. Additional charges/options: Sew on sport/activity patch to your letter ($1/each and bring when ordering), tall Jacket - additional $20 and 3XL - additional $20.00.
Senior Pictures
Senior pictures should be emailed to our yearbook adviser at fnhyearbook@fargoschools.org. Pictures are due by April 1, 2022. A $10.00 late fee will be accessed on pictures turned in after that date.
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.
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 does not meet guidelines.
Yearbooks
2020-2021
The 2020-2021 yearbooks are still available for those who purchased them. Students must have paid for a yearbook prior to the end of this past school year.
2021-2022
Students can purchase a copy of the 2021-2022 yearbook for the low price of $50 until December 1, 2021. After that date the cost for a yearbook will increase to $60. The “Laconian” is a full-color book with memorable stories, eye-catching photos, and cutting-edge graphics
Student Parking Permits
Student parking is available in our south and northwest lots. The cost for a parking permit is $40 and is required to park in these lots. The replacement cost for a lost parking sticker is $5. Students are allowed to park without a permit if they park in the Coliseum lot closest to 17th Avenue. Parking permits purchased online can be picked up in the main office.
Our Security Guards will issue tickets to those who park illegally or park in staff reserved parking areas and our visitor parking lot. Signage is clearly posted in all lots. Permits are to be placed on the vehicles back window, driver’s side only.
Disputed tickets should be brought to Administration.
Lunch Accounts
Students are offered a daily breakfast and lunch meal provided through the USDA’s National School Lunch Program. To ensure all students have access to school-provided meals during the pandemic recovery, the school lunch program is providing these meals free of charge in the 2021-2022 school year. Students may receive 1 breakfast and 1 lunch meal daily at no cost. Students must accept all required food components when receiving the free meal.
Additional meals and milk cartons are available for purchase. Students must have the funds available at the time of purchase either in their lunch account or in cash. After receiving 1 free breakfast and lunch meal, students will be charged $2.15 for additional breakfast meals and $3.50 for additional lunch meals. (Prices subject to change). Milk may be purchased for $.35 per 8 oz carton.
Funds can be added to the student’s lunch account on-line through PowerSchool or by placing a check in the box located outside the kitchen. The Free and Reduced Meal Application can be completed online just by accessing our District website .
E-Alerts
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.
Updated Information
You will be asked to update your student’s information when you complete the online registration packet before school starts in August.
We would like to remind you to always keep your student’s information up-to-date! If anything changes during the course of the school year, you will need to log in to your parent/guardian PowerSchool account and make the updates. Should the school need to get in contact with you or your student has a medical related issue, we need to be able to reach you or your emergency contact. you or your emergency contact.
After School Reminder
We ask that parents make transportation arrangements for students who don’t ride the bus or have their own transportation to be picked up as close to 3:50 p.m. as possible. We lock all doors to the locker bays and academic wings at 4:00 p.m. every day. After 4:00 p.m. students will not be allowed to enter these areas.
Students are asked to wait in the foyer doors to be picked up and not be hanging around in the building after 4:00 p.m. unless they are involved in an after school activity.
Bus Route Schedules
Fargo Public Schools 2021-2022 “Energy Saver” bus route schedules are available on the Fargo Publics schools website www.fargo.k12.nd.us/transportation.
Student Messages
During the school day we will call your student to the office for a message only in an emergency situation.
We ask that you please communicate with your student any information they may need for the day, prior to coming to school. (Ex: transportation, appointments, lunch money, etc.) Thank you.
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.
Free/Low Cost Insurance
Is your child or another member of your family currently without health care coverage? If you would like information about any of the low-cost or free health coverage programs offered in your state please call toll-free: 1-877-KIDS NOW or 1-877-543-7669.
Bell Schedule
Shuttle Bus Schedule
Upward Bound
Written Notification of School Accountability Report
Dear Parent/Guardian,
North Dakota’s Insights dashboard provides important information about K-12 districts and schools. Insights features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including:
- Test Scores
- Graduation Rates
- English Learner Progress
- Student Engagement
- State Accountability
Transparency to the Public
North Dakota is committed to informing communities about how well our schools are doing. North Dakota’s future success depends on tapping into the potential of all students so that they graduate choice ready with the knowledge, skills, and disposition to be successful. State education departments are required to annually create an accountability report for every public school in the state. The school accountability reports outline how schools are performing on the accountability elements North Dakota selected within its ESSA plan.
How is our School Doing?
To find out more information about our School Accountability Report, visit the dashboard at https://insights.nd.gov/, select “Find My School”, and search alphabetically for our school. The school accountability report is posted under the Dashboard heading. Please note, the data made available to the public masks or hides data for groups with 10 or fewer students to protect confidential information about individual students. Therefore, if data is not available to less than 10 students, it will say “no data available”.
Family Engagement
We have strong plans for working to improve the educational programs at our school. We would like you and your child(ren) to continue to be active participants in our educational system. Please help support our high expectations for student achievement by participating in the school educational initiatives, offering input and support in our endeavors to raise student achievement, or volunteering at the school. Meeting our school’s goals will take a united effort, and I look forward to working with our families to ensure success for each student.
Continuous Improvement
All schools engage in continuous improvement for general support; therefore, our school has completed a continuous improvement plan through Cognia (formerly AdvancED). As part of the overall school improvement plan, a strategy map is generated for each school. Our strategy map, outlining our key school improvement initiatives, is available on the Insights Dashboard.
North High School has a student membership count of 1030, and it is not a participating Title I school.
If you have any questions regarding the information in the memorandum, please contact the school at:
801 17th Ave N
Fargo, ND 58102
701-446-2400
https://www.fargo.k12.nd.us/north
Sincerely,
Travis Christensen
Principal
Dispute Resolution Policy
Federal regulations require that each district adopt procedures for receiving and resolving disputes pertaining to Title programs.
If a parent, school personnel or any interested person wishes to file a complaint, the following process must be followed:
The written complaint must be sent via mail or e-mail to:
(Manager of Specific Title program)
Fargo Public Schools
415 North 4th Street
Fargo, ND 58102
Fargo Public Schools Title Managers
Title I Part A (Disadvantaged Students) Jan Anderson anderja@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title II Part A (Teacher Training/Recruitment) Robert Grosz groszr@fargo.k12.nd.us
and Missy Eidsness eidsnem@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title III (English Language Acquisition) David Burkman burkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Title IX (Discrimination/Sexual Harassment) Brad Franklin franklb@fargo.k12.nd.us and
Patty Cummings cumminp1@fargo.k12.nd.us
Section 504 (Students with Disabilities) David Burkman burkmad@fargo.k12.nd.us
Any complaint must include:
- The date;
- The name of the district, unit, or individual the complaint is against;
- The name, address, and telephone number of the person making the complaint;A detailed description of the complaint, including specific facts; and
- The signature of the person making the complaint
When a complaint is filed, the appropriate Fargo Public Schools Title Manager will investigate and issue a written response within sixty (60) calendar days from the date the complaint is received.
Reconsideration
Once a response is received from Fargo Public Schools staff, the person making the complaint has the right to have their complaint reconsidered. The complainant may submit a reconsideration request in writing to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction and the U.S. Department of Education.
State Superintendent
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 201
Bismarck, ND 58505-0440
The Secretary of Education
U.S. Department of Education
555 New Jersey Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20208
Important Contact Numbers
North High Main Office
Main Office - 446-2400
Travis Christensen, Principal - 446-2404
Mark Blanshan, Assistant Principal - 446-2499
Kathy Cieslak, Assistant Principal - 446-2406
Daniel Shultis, Asst. Prin./Activities Dir - 446-2407
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 OFFICE
Nikki Brandenburger, Registrar/Secretary - 446-2412
COUNSELORS
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
STUDENT SERVICES
Mary Krueger, Student Wellness & Family Facilitator - 446-2456
Lisa Metzger, Career Resource Center - 446-2413
SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
Officer Samantha LaShomb, SRO - 446-2631
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
- October 1 - Freshman Retreat
- October 4 - P/T Conferences - 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Parent Selected Zoom/6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Teacher Selected Zoom/7:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.Parent Selected Zoom
- October 7 - Plan Your Future Event period 7 & 8 Spartandome, 6:00 p.m. Theather
- October 7 - P/T Conferences - Open 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- October 9 - Zaps ACT Prep Seminar
- October 13 - PSAT Test & ASVAB
- October 19 - College Application Day
- October 21 & 22 - NDCEL Conference - No School
- October 23 - ACT Testing
- November 4 - Career Day
- November 11 - Veteran’s Day - No School
- November 24 - Staff Professional Development - No School
- November 25 & 26 - Thanksgiving Break - No School
- December 23 - January 2 - Winter Holiday Break - No School
- January 3 - Classes Resume
- January 10 - 8th Grade Elective Visitation & Activity Night 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- January 14 - End of First Semester
- January 17 - Staff Professional Development - No School
- February 21 - Staff Professional Development - No School
- March 7 - P/T Conferences - Open 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m./Scheduled 7:10 p.m. - 7:55 p.m.
- March 8 - ACT - Juniors
- March 17-18 - Spring Holiday Break - No School
- April 15 - Good Friday Holiday - No School
- April 18 - Storm Makeup Day if needed - if not, vacation day - No School
- April 23 - Prom
- May 16 - Storm Makeup Day if needed - if not, vacation Day - No School
- May 26 - Last Day of Classes
- May 29 - North High Graduation - 12:00 pm @ FARGODOME
Fargo North High School
Travis Christensen, Principal - 446-2404
Daniel Shultis, 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